
Book '^y 



^/^o:3 



■ 



WITH THE COMPLIMENTS 

OF THE 

NEW YORK MONUMENTS COMMISSION 



FIFTIETH 

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 

NEW YORK VETERANS 

GETTYSBURG 
1913 



D. of D. 
OC .'. 1916 




NEW YORK STATE MONUMENT IN THE NATIONAL CEMETERY 



STATE OF NEW YORK 



FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

OF THE 

BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 
1913 



REPORT OF THE 



NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION 



IL'>?^^' 



ALBANY 

J. B. LYON COMPANY. PRINTERS 

19 16 



New York Monuments Commission 

FOR THE BATTLEFIELDS OF 

GETTYSBURG, CHATTANOOGA AND ANTIETAM 



Nem^ York, March 26, 1914 

To the Legislature: 

I have the honor to transmit herewith report of the celebration 
of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg by Civil War 
veterans of the State of l^ew York, July, 1913, under the auspices 
of this Commission. 

Respectfully yours, 

LEWIS R. STEGMAN, 

Chairman. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Introduction --------...-7 

Report of New York Monuments Commission - - - - - 13 

Programme of " New York Day ---------27 

Introductory Remarks by Col. Lewis R. Stegman ----- 29 

Prayer — Rev. W. S. Hubbell, D. D. - - 20 

Introductory Remarks by Gen. Horatio C. King ----- 30 

Address — Governor William Sulzer, of New York - - - - - 33 

Oration — Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, D. D. 35 

Address — Major John H. Leathers ---.... 49 

Address — Col. Andrew Cowan -------- 52 

Poem — Col. Edmund Berkeley -------- 0(5 

Address — Captain Albert M. Mills - G8 

Poem — Gen. Horatio C. King -----...74 

The Battle of Gettysburg — Horatio C. King, LL. D. - - - - 78 

Circulars Issued in Preparation for the Celebration - - - - - 00 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



PAGE 

New York State Monument Frontispiece 

Bronze Tablets on New York State Monument - - . Facing 7 

Bronz Tablets on New York State Monument - - - . •■ ]] 

New New York Monuments Commission - - - . " j,. 

New York Monuments Commission Camp - - . . . " o] 

Official Group at Camp .....,_ " o,. 

Speakers at the Big Tent " New York Day " - - - . "30 

Big Tent on Field "35 

New York Section in Reunion Camp ---... "40 

Veterans Waiting for Quarters ---... "45 

Line up for Grub ------... "50 

Dinner in the Camp -----... " »g 

Lutheran Seminary, 18ii3 ------.. "57 

General Wadsworth Monument, Seminary Ridge - - . " ,;o 

Little Round Top, 18t;3 ------.. "as 

The Devil's Den, 18C3 ----... . " (;8 

Gulp's Hill, 1803 - --...,.... ^ J 

General Slocum Monument, Culp's Hill - - - - . "74 

General Greene Monument, Culp's Hill - - - . . "78 

The Angle — Pickett's Charge ...... "82 

General Webb Monument, The Angle ----.. "87 




GENERAL SLOCUM AND THE COMMANDING OFFICERS OF THE RIGHT WING 
(Medallion on New York Monument) 




DEATH OF GENERAL REYNOLDS ON SEMINARY RIDGE 

(Medallion on New York Monument) 



THE GREAT CELEBRATION 



THE report of the part taken by the State of New York in 
the unparalleled celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of 
the battle of Gettysburg would be incomplete without some 
prefatory introduction of Pennsylvania's generosity. 

Its inception is due to General H. S. Huidekoper, who was 
followed by Col. John P. Nicholson, Chairman of the Gettysburg 
National Park Commission. 

In his message in January, 1909, the Governor, Edwin S. Stewart, 
commended to the Legislature the recognition of this semi-centennial 
by appointment of a Commission with the authority to invite the 
co-operation of other States. A Commission was selected and in 
response to its appeal a representative was accredited to the Com- 
mission from every State and Territory, the District of Columbia, 
Porto Rico and Hawaii. 

Governor Hughes, of New York, appointed General Daniel E. 
Sickles, General Horatio C. King and General George S. Nichols, 
Commissioners from this State. The latter did not serve, but the 
others attended the meetings whenever called and participated in 
its discussions. 

In September, 1910, a large meeting of representatives, including 
members of a special committee from Congress, met at Gettysburg 
and agreed practically upon the plan of the celebration. It con- 
templated the seemingly extraordinary position of extending a 
general and hearty invitation to all ex-Confederate soldiers to 
unite in this wide reunion and the final wiping out of all sectional 
feeling engendered by the Civil War. Some doubt was expressed 
that the South would participate, but the warmth of feeling mani- 
fested by the Northern representatives that the result would be 
satisfactory and beneficial prevailed. 

[7] 



8 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

The Northern States responded to the appeals for appropriations 
and some of the Southern States made provision for the transporta- 
tion of their veterans. The Federal Government voted a liberal 
appropriation and assigned its army officers vmder charge of Major 
James E. Normoyle, as chief, and Major W. R. Grove, his 
assistant, with Capt. H. F. Dalton and others, to erect the required 
encampments and aid in providing for the food and medical care, 
if necessary. The high-walled conical tents furnished cots for 
twelve, but few, if any, were fully filled, though it was stated that 
the vast camp received nearly sixty thousand. The anxiety that 
many old soldiers would be killed by the heat and exposure was 
dispelled when at the close of the gathering, the number of dead 
was just nine, and these principally from organic diseases. 

It is not necessary to enumerate the innumerable details which 
led up to the opening of the Reunion. The final Pennsylvania Com- 
mission comprised: Col. J. M. Schoormiaker, President, Lt. Col. 
liCwis E. Beitler, Secretary, Samuel C. Todd, Treasurer, and Com- 
missioners Brevet Brigadier-General Wm. D. Dixon, Brevet Colonel 
R. Bruce Ricketts, Corporal Irvin K. Campbell, Captain William 
J. Patterson, Captain William E. Miller, Captain George F. Baer 
and Captain John P. Green. Hon. John K. Tener was the Gov- 
ernor of the State at this date. 

The New York Legislature conferred upon the New York Monu- 
ments Commission the arduous duty of taking its part in the Reunion. 
Its labors are more particularly set forth hereafter. In all its work 
and observations it had occasion to see and admire the wonderful 
activity of Col. Beitler, whose efforts covered every featui'e of the 
Reunion. 

Gettysburg College, which was leased by the State for Head- 
quarters, was the general rendezvous of the large number of guests. 
New York headquarters had its excellent and well conducted camp 
just to the rear of the College. The Lutheran Seminary, whose still 
existent cupola was the observation point of Generals Reynolds 
and Buford on the first day's fight and of General Lee, thereafter. 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 9 

was occupied by the female relatives of several of the Northern 
and Southern officers who were in the battle. The State constab- 
ulary maintained complete order in and out of camp. A large force 
of U. S. infantry, cavalry and artillery added to the picturesqueness 
of the scene. The Red Cross, the Safety Stations, the medical 
attendants and nearly four hundred boy scouts were omnipresent. 
But the greatest sight of all was the magnificent fraternity of the 
" boys in blue and the boys in gray " as they sauntered over the field 
which they had once contested so bravely and bitterly, all retelling 
the story of fifty years ago and rejoicing in a restored Union. 

PUBLIC EXERCISES 

In the enormous tent, with its thirteen thousand chairs, many 
reunions and all the public exercises were held. At two o'clock 
on Tuesday, July 1st, an immense concourse gathered. Colonel 
Schoonmaker presided and the program included: Prayer, by Rev. 
Dr. George B. Lovejoy, Chaplain-in-Chief of the Grand Army of 
the Republic; Address of welcome by Hon. Lindley M. Garrison, 
Secretary of War ; Address of welcome by Governor John K. Tener ; 
Address by Alfred B. Beers, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, and Address by Bennett H. Young, Com- 
mander-in-Chief of the United Confederate Veterans. The final 
prayer was assigned to Rev. Dr. H. M. Harrill, Chaplain-in- 
Chief, United Confederate Veterans, who, for some reason, was 
not present. The meeting closed by the band playing " America." 

On the second day Col. Andrew Cowan, President of the Society 
of the Army of the Potomac, presided with the following exercises: 
Prayer, by Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, D. D., Pastor of Plymouth 
Church, Brooklyn; Addresses, by Maj .-General John R. Brooke, 
U. S. A., and Sergeant John C. Scarborough, of North Carolina; 
reading of Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg Cemetery by Wm. 
Barry Bulkley, of Washington; Oration by Hon, Roswell B. 
Burchard, Lt.-Governor of Rhode Island, and Benediction by Rev. 
Dr. J. Richards Boyle, Chaplain of the Military Order of the Loj-al 
Legion. The President also presented these members of the family 



10 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

of General Meade: Miss Henrietta Meade, daughter, Mrs. George 
G. Meade, daughter-in-law, George G. Meade, grandson, George 
Gordon Meade Large, IVIr. and Mrs. John R. Large, Robert H. 
Large, S. Sargeant Large, Saunders L. Meade, Mrs. Charles P. 
Fox, Mr. and Mrs. George J. Cooke, Miss Salvadora INIeade and 
Miss Henrietta Meade Large. 

The sons and grandsons of General Longstreet and General 
Pickett were on the platform, but left just before this unexpected 
introduction. 

On Thursday, July 3, after a great many regimental reunions, 
the great tent was again prepared for the ceremonies of Governors' 
Day. At two o'clock Governor Tener, pi-esiding, took charge. Of 
the large number named on the program to speak, the following took 
part: Rev. Henry M. Conden, Chaplain of the House of Repre- 
sentatives, prayed; and addresses were made by Vice-President 
Thomas R. Marshall, Speaker of the House, Champ Clark, James 
B. McCreary, Governor of Kentucky, William Sulzer, Governor 
of New York, William Hodges IVIann, Governor of Virginia, James 
S. Cox, Governor of Ohio, Simeon E. Baldwin, Governor of Con- 
necticut, Adolph E. Eberhardt, Governor of Minnesota, Louis B. 
Hanna, Governor of North Dakota, Charles R. Miller, Governor 
of Delaware, William T. Haines, Governor of Maine, and Samuel 
M. Ralston, Governor of Indiana. 

These exercises concluded. New York took charge of the tent and 
until 6 p. m. conducted its proceedings, which are given fully in 
another part of this report. 

The plan of the Reunion included the laying of the cornerstone 
of a Peace Monument on July 4th, with the President and Chief 
Justice of the Supreme Court as guests of honor. The project of 
the Monument was not acted upon by Congress and the invitations 
were declined. On June 28th, the President notified the President 
of the Commission of his intention to be present on the 4th. He 
was met and escorted to the tent, made a brief speech and was 
returned to the train within an hour. The disappointment was very 




GENERAL SICKLES (WOUNDEDi AND HIS GENERALS 
(Medallion on New York Monument! 




GENERAL HANCOCK (WOUNDED* AND HIS GENERALS 
(Medallion on New York Monument) 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 11 

great that the Head of the Nation was not present during the 
whole week. 

OTHER INCIDENTS 

Other incidents of special interest are worthy to be mentioned 
here. The first was the unveiling of the Statue of Brevet Major- 
General William Wells, of Vermont, by the Veterans and Citi- 
zens of the Green Mountain State. Addresses were made by Col. 
Myron M. Parker, Governor Allen M. Fletcher, Gen. Theodore 
S. Peck, Hon. Wm. P. Dillingham, General E. M. Law, C. S. A., 
General Felix H. Robertson, C. S. A., Col. John McElroy, Col. 
Heman W. Allen, Col. Henry O. Clark, General L. A. Grant, 
ex-Governor V. A. Woodbury, Gen. E. F. Dinmiick, Col. W. D. 
Mann, Capt. George Hillyer, C. S. A., Col. John W. Bennett, 
Mr. W. B. Van Cummings, and Col. Gilbert D. Bouckman. 

The second were the exeixises by the Sixth Corps at the Eques- 
trian Statue of General John Sedgwick, recently erected by 
the State of Connecticut. Col. Andrew Cowan presided, and 
addresses were made by Hon. Simeon E. Baldwin, Prof, John C. 
Himes, Gen. Elisha H. Rhodes, General Horatio C. King, Captain 
John H. Leathers, and H. K. Bush-Brown, the sculptor. Rev. AV. S. 
Hubbell pronounced the prayer and benediction. 

On July 2nd, Indiana held a prominent Reunion in the large tent. 
Two excellent addresses were made, by Nathaniel D. Cox, Chair- 
man of the Indiana Commission and Hon. Samuel M. Ralston, 
Governor of that State. 

The ceremonies of the hand shake over the wall at the Angle, on 
the afternoon of July 3, were of intense interest, despite the great 
heat. The " Philadelphia Brigade " Association (Webb's Brigade), 
Comrade Thomas Thompson commanding, and John W. Frazier, 
adjutant, and one hundred and eighty men, and Pickett's Divi- 
sion Association, Major W. W. Bentley commanding, with 
Charles J. Loerb, secretary, and one hundred and twenty men, 
took part in it. They formed in two opposing lines, a hundred 
feet apart, as they did fifty years before. The Union flag 
and the " Stars and Bars " confronted each other. Standing on 



12 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

the wall the Hon. J. Hampton Moore, jNI. C, from Philadelphia, 
presented to Pickett's Division a beautiful silk United States 
flag in an eloquent address. During the speech the two 
standard bearers advanced and crossed the two flags. At its con- 
clusion, the new flag was held above both the others, while Major 
Bentley, with patriotic eloquence, accepted the flag on behalf of 
the Association. The two lines then advanced to the stone wall 
and meeting buried their faces on each others shoulders while the 
thousands of interested spectators raised a shout of praise and 
grateful appreciation. 

On the same evening there was a magnificent display of fire 
works on Little Round Top, comprising about everything in 
pyrotechnics, with a great salvo of dynamite guns and belching 
mortars. 

Soon after the departure of President Wilson, the closing cere- 
monies began. At the sound of the mid-day ringing of the church 
bells in Gettysburg, all officers, men and guests stood at "Attention " 
on the College Campus, and at the several camps, veteran and 
military, while the main colors were slowly lowered. A Battery 
fired the national salute. As the echoes died away, the bugle rang 
out and the Flag of our perpetual Union was again raised, the 
band played the " Star-Spangled Banner," and The Great Reunion, 
the greatest of its kind the world ever saw or ever will see, was ended. 
Pennsylvania earned the thanks of the nation for its unparalleled 
generosity, carried out with marvelous tact and precision. The 
splendid official report, prepared by Colonel Beitler, with its wealth 
of pictures, will perpetuate its memory long after the days when 
the last man of the Blue and the Gray shall have " crossed over the 
river to rest in the shadow of the trees." To those who were fortu- 
nate enough to be at the Reunion, there will remain always a deep 
and lasting impression of the affectionate relations between the 
Northern and Southern veterans as they walked in close embrace 
and renewed their vows to honor and protect the preserved and 
united country: one flag, one home, one destiny. 



NEW YORK MONUMENTS COMMISSION 

FOR THE BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG, 
CHATTANOOGA AND ANTIETAM 

116 Nassau Street, New Yoi-k. 

March 24, 1914. 
To the Legislature: 

An Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, approved IMaj^ 13, 1909, 
created a Commission, known as the Fiftieth Anniversary of the 
Battle of Gettysburg Commission, whose duty it was to consider 
and arrange for a proper and fitting observance at Gettysburg, 
of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg, with authority 
to invite the co-operation of the Congress of the United States and 
of the other States and Commonwealths; and by an Act approved 
June 14, 1911, to enable the Commission to further carry out these 
provisions in accordance with its report, recommendations and plans, 
the sum of $50,000 was appropriated, provided that the total amount 
to be expended by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in connection 
with this celebration should not exceed $250,000. 

Governor Hughes of New York appointed Major-General 
Sickles, General Nichols and General Horatio C. King commis- 
sioners from the State of New York, as associates from this State, 
to co-operate with the Pennsylvania Commission. As far as can 
be ascertained, however, that Commission took no practical official 
action in connection with the work of the Pennsylvania Commission. 

The Congress of the United States entered heartily into the 
plan suggested by the State of Pennsylvania for conducting the 
celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg, 
and appropriated the simi of $150,000 in furtherance of the object 
in view. The State of Pennsylvania then appropriated the sum 
of $150,000 for the pm'poses of a large military camp to be located 

[13] 



14 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

on the battlefield. The Congressional and State appropriations 
combined amounted to $300,000. Thereupon, U. S. A. engineers 
and quartermasters were detailed to perform the practical work 
necessary to establish a camp on the battlefield of Gettysburg pre- 
pared to accommodate 40,000 Civil War veterans — Union and 
Confederate. The Pennsylvania State Commission assumed the 
labor of apportioning the nmnber of A'eterans to which each sovereign 
State would be entitled. New York State, under this apijortion- 
ment, was granted space in the general camp for 10,000 veterans. 
Later on, this aj^portionment was reduced to 8,000. Upon these 
fixed figures, the New York Commission based its action for the 
larger part of the time preceding the opening of the encampment. 
A short time before the encampment was formalh' opened, the 
State of Pennsylvania made a more extended allowance of tents 
for the accommodation of New York veterans, but too late to be 
of service to this State. It is very doubtful, though, whether any 
more New York veterans would have availed themselves of any 
extension of numbers than those who made application and actually 
participated in the encampment. 

In every relationship of business connected with the camp, the 
officers of the Pennsylvania Commission — Colonel James M. 
Schoonmaker, chairman, and Colonel Lewis E. Beitler, secretary — 
extended ever}' possible courtesy to the New York Commission. 
Great thanks are due as well to the members of the Gettysburg 
National Park Conmiission — Colonel John P. Nicholson (chair- 
man), Major Charles A. Richardson and Colonel E. B. Cope 
(engineer) — whose efforts and the splendid arrangements made by 
them for the celebration contributed largely to its success. 

The tentage and subsistence furnished in the camp to the vet- 
erans were excellent, and have been extolled from one end of the 
country to the other. 

By section 1, chapter 227, of the Laws of 1912, which became 
a law April 9, 1912, with the approval of the Governor, the New 
York Monuments Commission for the Battlefields of Gettysburg 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 1.5 

and Chattanooga was appointed a Commission to plan and conduct 
a public celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Gettys- 
burg. This Commission was given power to enter into negotiations 
and co-operate with the State of Pennsylvania in relation to such 
a celebration. 

This Act contemplated a movement of 25,000 veterans and an 
expenditure of $265,000; and it was apparent at the outset to those 
entrusted with this enormous task that the responsibility thereby 
placed on them vastly exceeded that of any similar project hitherto 
undertaken by the Commission. The Commission, therefore, felt 
that the duty confided to it by the Legislature in this assignment 
was worthy of its best efforts, calling for thorough organization and 
proper circmnspection throughout. 

The nearest approach to a celebration of this magnitude, con- 
ducted under the direction of the New York Monuments Commis- 
sion, was the dedication, in 1893, of the New York State monument 
at Gettysburg. 

On April 24, 1912, the New York Monuments Commission held 
a special meeting for the purpose of considering in every detail 
the provisions of chapter 227, Laws of 1912. General McCook, 
Colonel Stegman and General King were appointed an executive 
committee. Quarters were secured for the Commission on the 
second floor of No. 1 East Ninth Street, and on May 1, 1912, they 
installed their office there. The chairman and the secretary were 
authorized to communicate with the State Superintendent of 
Prisons, with a view of securing from him the office furniture needed 
by the Conmiission. 

It was decided at this meeting that there should be two units of 
organization — Grand Army of the Republic Posts, and the 
" unattached " (those veteran soldiers who did not belong to that 
organization). 

The question as to the particular meaning that should be given 
to the words " resident " and " citizen ", for the purpose of the 



16 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

Commission, was also taken into consideration, and it was deter- 
mined, that for an applicant to be eligible he must be an honorably 
discharged soldier, sailor or marine, from the army, navy or marine 
corps of the United States, or an honorably discharged soldier of 
the armies of the Southern Confederacy, in the war of the Rebellion, 
and now a resident of the State of New York. 

For application form and form for identification of applicants, 
it was decided to adopt those which appear on the printed blanks 
comprised in this report. On the sheet containing these forms an 
announcement was made that no application would be received by 
the Commission after May 1, 1913. 

The issuance of Circular No. 1, included herein, also resulted 
from deliberations occupying the Commission at the meeting held 
April 24, 1912. The first instalment of 5,000 copies of this circular, 
dated June 12, 1912, was distributed among various Grand Army 
Posts, newspapers and veterans throughout the State. Subse- 
quently, a second edition of 6,000 copies was procured and distrib- 
uted. 

Following the distribution of Circular No. 1, the work of distrib- 
uting the application blanks, referred to in paragraph 4 of Cir- 
cular No. 1, was taken up. In all, 25,000 application blanks were 
printed. 

Inquiry was made in advance of the G. A. R. Posts respecting 
the number of application blanks desired by them for the use of 
their members. These blanks when sent out were accompanied by 
a circular letter of instruction, pointing out, among other things, 
the importance of selecting a conveniently central point in the 
county, or, if preferred, two or three points, where a large number 
of veterans might be expected to meet when starting for Gettys- 
burg. Also, in the case of blanks intended for veterans who were 
not members of G. A. R. Posts it was requested that these veterans 
be instructed to communicate with this Commission direct. 

Applications for transportation came in slowly during the year 
1912. At the opening of 1913, however, they began to increase in 




NEW YORK MONUMENTS COMMISSION, 1913 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 17 

volume. The clerks employed were kept busy, many corrections 
having to be made in the applications, bj' reason of errors committed 
by the applicants, requiring the re-mailing of docmiients and letters 
of information. 

In December, 1912, a meeting for the election of officers of the 
Xew York IMonmnents Commission, and the Gettysburg Fiftieth 
Anniversary Celebration Commission, was held at No. 23 Fifth 
Avenue, Borough of jNIanhattan. General Horatio C. King was 
elected Chairman of the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration Com- 
mission and Colonel Lewis R. Stegman Chairman of the Xew York 
^Monuments Commission for the Battlefields of Gettysburg and 
Chattanooga. A. J. Zabriskie was appointed engineer and secretary 
of both Commissions by action of the respective Commissions. Extra 
recompense was promised to the engineer and secretary for the 
additional arduous labor which it was felt would be entailed on that 
officer in connection with the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration of 
the Battle of Gettysburg. 

Chairman King at once issued circulars of advice as to the methods 
of filing applications and rules applicable thereto. Copies of the 
circulars are hereto annexed. These circulars were sent to G. A. R. 
Posts and to every individual soldier who had wi-itten for infor- 
mation. Newspapers throughout the State noted the important 
points of information for the benefit of their readers and the veterans 
of the various localities. 

In April, 1913, the office of the Commission of the " Fiftieth Anni- 
versary Celebration" was removed to 116 Nassau Street, Borough 
of ]Manliattan, offering as it did more convenience for the transaction 
of business, and at a cheaper rental. 

During the session of the Legislature of 1913 a new Battlefields 
Commission was instituted, the old or former Commission being 
abolished. This Act of the Legislature became chapter 550, Laws 
of 1913. 

Under this law the Governor appointed three Civil War veterans, 
nanielv Colonel Clinton Beckwith, Colonel Lewis R. Stegman and 



18 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

General George B. Loud, and the Adjutant General, Henry D. 
Hamilton to act as commissioners. General Loud declining the 
appointment, General Horatio C. King was appointed in his place. 

The new Commission organized at the State Arsenal, Thirty- 
fifth Street and Seventh Avenue, Borough of Manhattan, on May 
22, 1913. Colonel Lewis R. Stegman was elected chairman and 
A. J. Zabriskie was appointed engineer and secretary. The new 
Commission immediately superseded the old Commission, taking 
charge of the entire business in hand. 

Colonel Beckwith at once applied himself to the examination of 
all applications of veterans for transportation and so continued until 
the final completion of that work. 

The work of the new Commission was conducted upon the same 
lines of procedure as those of the preceding Commission as to rules 
and applications. 

From the knowledge acquired in the reception of applications, 
it had been learned that not as many veteran soldiers of New York 
State would take advantage of the celebration as had been anticipated, 
under Chapter 227, Laws of 1912; and at the suggestion of the 
members of the new Commission Chapter 725, Laws of 1913, was 
passed. This Act appropriated $150,000 for the transportation of 
veterans to the field of Gettysbm-g, and return, in addition to the 
$15,000 theretofore appropriated for office hire and all the incidentals 
required for so large an enterprise — making $165,000 in all, or 
lowering the estimate of 1912 by $100,000. 

In the latter part of the month of May, 1913, Colonel Beckwith 
and Chairman Stegman visited Harrisburg, Pa., and conferred with 
the Pennsylvania Commission, with headquarters there, in regard 
to many details of business; and from thence proceeded to the 
Gettysburg battlefield to survey the proposed government camp, 
then in process of erection. They also visited Littletown and Han- 
over, distant from Gettysburg twelve and fourteen miles, repec- 
tively, for the purpose of finding a location for the proposed special 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 19 

train of the New York Monuments Commission and its guests during 
the celebration. This was an essential necessitj', as no railroad trains 
were to be permitted to remain on the tracks at Gettysburg longer 
than was necessary to detrain soldiers from the arriving trains. 
Hanover was selected as the site of the proposed New York Com- 
mission train, and arrangements were entered into to provide suffi- 
cient automobiles to transport all guests from the train to Gettys- 
burg, and return, over fair roads, and within an hour's ride either 
way. 

At a meeting of the Commission held in the early part of June, 
a report on the above conditions was submitted for its consideration. 
The possible excessive heat of the weather in July at Gettysburg 
was discussed, and at the suggestion of Adjutant General Hamilton, 
who kindly offered to lend tents for the occasion, it was determined 
that instead of remaining in a special train at Hanover, if the ground 
could be acquired at Gettysburg, the Conmiission and its guests 
would go into a regular tent camp, furnishing its own subsistence 
and material. This suggestion was adopted. Thereupon, Captain 
Charles E. Fiske, of the Adjutant-General's staff, and Chairman 
Stegman visited the office of the Pennsylvania Commission, at 
Harrisburg, and through the kindness and courtesy of Colonel 
Beitler, secretary of that Commission, possible locations for a New 
York Conmiission camp at Gettysburg were described. The plot 
of ground just north of Pennsylvania College, and containing 
Steven's Hall — a part of the College — seemed to offer the best 
facilities for such a camp as was contemplated. Captain Fiske and 
the chairman immediately jjroceeded to Gettysburg, and after care- 
fully surveying several situations as possibly eligible finally deter- 
mined upon the Stevens Hall site as the most convenient place. 
This site is located on a square bounded by Carlisle and Washington 
Streets and Lincoln Avenue and Stevens Street. Captain Fiske at 
once devoted himself to the formation of the camp. This camp was 



20 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

established to accommodate seventy people, with dining tent, 
kitchen, storehouses and special shower bath tent. Tents were pro- 
vided for the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor and Comptroller, for 
use Avhile visiting camp or for the reception of visitors. 

Through the courtesy of the Pennsylvania Commission, special, 
rooms for the accommodation of the Governor and IMrs. Sulzer, the 
Lieutenant-Governor and Mrs. Glj'nn, and the Comptroller had been 
assigned at the Pennsylvania College, near the New York Com- 
mission camp. These State officers were to be guests of the Pennsyl- 
vania Commission, by special invitation. 

The camp of the New York Commission, as formed and laid out, 
was to accommodate the Adjutant- General and his staff, the guests 
of the Commission, State Senators, Assemblymen, the orators 
invited for the occasion, newsjiaper correspondents, clerks, stenog- 
raphers, military orderlies and the help required in the subsistence 
deijartment. 

In the meantime, in the New York office the necessities of quick 
and expeditious work required for the transmission of the trans- 
portation certificates, identification cards and New York State com- 
memoration badges of bronze, authorized by the Commission, for 
each of the veterans entitled to the same, compelled the Commission 
to hire many additional clerks. By reason of this action, the Com- 
mission was enabled to mail all the requisite documents to each 
individual veteran (at his jjost office address) in amj^le time for use 
in the trip to Gettysburg, and return. It is believed that no veteran 
in this State who made proper application for transportation was 
disappointed in this matter. That manj' failed to go was due to 
personal inclination after the receipt of the transjjortation certifi- 
cates, disabilities, business, and in some cases death. 

Although the limit of time for the reception of applications had 
been set and advertised for IMay 31, 1913, the Commission extended 
the time to June, and practically issued ti-ansportation certificates 
to June 2.5th. Every legitimate jDersonal call at the office of the 
Commission was accommodated, and all letters promptly answered. 




I- z 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 21 

Pursuant to chapter 227, Laws of 1912, the Governor, Lieutenant- 
Governor and Comptroller, the Governor's staff, ten Senators and 
fifteen Assemblymen, and the Xew York Monmnents Commission, 
were designated to proceed to Gettysburg to participate in the 
celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle, covering from 
July 1 to July 5, 1913. In addition, the Secretary of State, the 
Attorney-General, the State Treasurer and State Engineer were 
invited to accompany the New York delegation. 

President pro tern. Wagner, of the Senate, furnished the fol- 
lowing list of Senators to be guests of the Commission on the 
occasion: Wagner (President pro tem.), Herrick, Carswell, Palmer, 
Murtaugh, Cullen, Brown, Frawley, Fitzgerald and Ramsperger. 

Speaker Smith, of the Assembly, furnished the following list of 
Assemblymen: Smith (Speaker), Sweet, Tallett, Small, Kiernan, 
Birnkrant, Fitzgerald, Fallon, Heyman, John J. Kelly, Hinman, 
Garvey, Joseph D. Kelly, Kornobis and Levy. 

The Governor's staff consisted of the following officers: The 
Adjutant-General, Brig-Gen. H. D. Hamilton, Major Foster, 
Captains Fiske, Harris, Collins, Costigan, Finke, Teets, Walsh, 
Berry, Redington, and Lieutenants Niver, Malone and AValton, of 
the New York Naval Reserve Commander Josephson, four orderlies, 
and Mr. Robinson, stenographer to the Adjutant-General, 

The newspaper correspondents who accompanied the party were: 
Mr. Merriwether, of the New York World, IVIr. Sherwood, of the 
New York Tribune, and Mr. Jones, of the New York Globe. 

Lieutenant-Governor Glynn and Assemblyman Hinman sent 
letters of regret. 

With the New York Commissioners, Colonel Beckwith, General 
King, Colonel Stegman and the Adjutant-General (noted as with 
his Staff) were: A. J. Zabriskie, engineer and secretary of the New 
York Monuments Commission, Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, D. D., 
orator of " New York Day ", Captain Albert M. Mills, orator 
" New York Day ", and Chas. F. Tinkham, stenographer. 



22 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

All the official party to accompany the special train were duly 
notified to be present at the State Arsenal, corner Thirty-fifth Street 
and Seventh Avenue, Borough of Manhattan, at 8:30 a. m., Mon- 
day, June 30th. The train accommodation was furnished by the 
Pennsylvania Railroad and consisted of several Pullman cars and 
a diner. The train left New York for Gettj'sburg at 10 a. m. 
Breakfast was served on the departure of the train. Lunch followed 
en route. The route followed was by Philadelphia, Lancaster, York 
and Hanover into Gettysburg, where the party arrived about 
5:30 p. m. 

At the depot, at Gettysburg, the official party was met by Captain 
Fiske, of the Adjutant-General's staff, and were seated at once in 
automobiles for conveyance to the Commission's camp. The camp 
was soon reached and the official party duly installed in the tents 
allotted to them. Soon thereafter dinner was served. Many of the 
guests then visited the town. 

Twelve automobiles having been contracted for the use of the 
guests of the Commission, they were duly ajiportioned, and the 
guests, thereafter, had the free use of the automobiles to which they 
were assigned. 

On Tuesday, July 1, the official party left camp for an inspection 
of the battlefield. Several salient points were selected for observa- 
tion, and from these positions of advantage the chairman of the 
commission explained to the party the several movements of the 
Union and Confederate armies, with such incidents of interest as 
occurred upon that particular portion of the field. Among these 
stoppages were included the line of Buford's Cavalry, and the 
infantry lines of the First Corps of the Union Army; thence they 
went to the Eleventh Corps lines, in the first day's fight; thence 
to Culp's Hill and the Twelfth Corps line, with part of the Sixth 
Corps in support on the second and third day's battle; thence to 
Cemetery Hill, part of the second day's fight; thence to the Angle, 
the location of the Second Corps and the celebrated Pickett's charge 



1 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 23 

of Confederates on the third day; thence to the Round Tops, where 
a full view was had of the positions of the Third Corps, Fifth and 
Sixth Corps in the second day's fight. The party then proceeded 
along Confederate Avenue, covering the positions occupied by the 
Confederate Army during the second and third day's battles, and 
thence to the Commission camp for lunch. 

The afternoon was devoted to an examination of the large main 
camp, particularly the New York State allotment. The veterans 
from this State expressed great admiration for the excellent manner 
in which thej^ were being treated, both in tentage and subsistence. 
Every sanitary precaution for health known to camp life had been 
adopted by the United States authorities. Good roads traversed 
every portion of the camp. Hydrants, with ice attachments, 
abounded, affording plenty of cold water for the benefit of the 
veterans. 

It may be well to note here that the United States government 
authorities and the Pennsylvania Commission had provided complete 
hospital accommodations in Gettysburg, while hospital tents were 
erected on every road and byway, in charge of Red Cross nurses, 
and communicating with each other and the main hospital by tele- 
phone and telegraph. Ambulances traversed every road, ready to 
pick up and relieve any disabled veteran. To this magnificent 
service is due the small number of casualties which occurred during 
the encampment. It is estimated that 70,000 Union and Confederate 
veterans attended the celebration, about .55,000 of whom were in 
the large camp. According to the official report of casualties, only 
nine veterans died during the encampment — an extraordinary low 
percentage for the large numbers who attended, and considering the 
excessive heat which prevailed. Two of the death casualties were 
New York veterans — John H. Reynolds, of Port Chester, N. Y., 
and Otto L. Starn, of Almond, N. Y. Both these veterans died of 
organic diseases. The sunstrokes were not many and there were 
no deaths from that cause. The roads and streets were patrolled 



24 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

by U. S. Cavalry, and the State Constabulary of Pennsylvania, 
with police powers, and the utmost order prevailed. 

On Wednesday, July 2nd, the New York official party divided up 
into sections, many again visiting portions of the field, while others 
visited adjacent towns of historic interest in connection with the 
field. Adjutant- General Hamilton and staff paid official visits to 
the United States Army officers and to other State military men 
on the ground. Governor Sulzer and Mrs. Sulzer arrived at Gettys- 
burg and were assigned quarters at the Pennsylvania College. The 
Chairman of the Commission called upon the Governor and extended 
a welcome to the Commission camp. The Governor and Mrs. Sulzer 
participated in the Commission dinner at the camp. 

On Thursdaj', July 3rd, many visitors called at the camp and 
were pleasantly entertained. In the morning Governor Sulzer and 
Mrs. Sulzer, accompanied by the chairman and Mrs. Stegman, 
Colonel Beckwith, Captain Mills and Captain Redington, in auto- 
mobiles, visited the whole field, returning in time for lunch at camp. 
The guests of the Commission joui'neyed to many different places. 
In the afternoon, at what was distinguished as the " Big Tent," 
in the main camp ground, " New York Day " was celebrated. More 
than five thousand veteran soldiers participated in the exercises. It 
was an occasion that thrilled the hearts of all New Yorkers present 
and made them feel very jjroud of their State. In the evening there 
was a grand display of fireworks on Little Round Top, which was 
viewed by the guests from advantageous points. 

The proceedings of this great meeting are embodied in full in 
succeeding pages, under the title of " New York Day at Gettys- 
burg." 

Friday, July 4th, was devoted by the guests of the Commission 
to visits to the veterans' camp and expeditions to outlying towns. 
In the morning, President Wilson delivered an oration to the 
veterans in the big tent. Large numbers of the veteran soldiers 
commenced starting for home. 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 25 

On Saturday, July jth, the New York Commission delegation 
broke camp at Gettysburg. The automobiles being readj', a start 
was made for Antietam battlefield, in Maryland, at 7 a. m. Pro- 
ceeding by the Chambersburg Road, the party reached Chambers- 
burg, Pa., about 9 a. m. After a short stop in this town, the journey 
was resmned, via Greencastle, Pa., to Hagerstown, IMd., where 
another short stop was made to bring the automobiles together. From 
Hagerstown the party proceeded to the Antietam field, halting at 
the famous and historic Dunker Church. At this point the chair- 
man of the Commission described the battle of September 17, 1862, 
of the right and center wings of the Union Army. The party then 
rode over to the scene of the operations of the left wing of the Union 
Army, where a halt was made at the " Burnside Bridge," also famous 
and historic, and where a short address was made by the chairman, 
descriptive of the events on that part of the field. The return trip 
to Hagerstown was made in a very short time; and the special 
official train was found ready at that point to convey the party to 
Xew York. The party was soon entrained and found a most relish- 
able luncheon prepared for them which was heartily enjoyed, after 
an automobile ride of fully eighty miles. The train started from 
Hagerstown at 3 p. m. and proceeded by the way of Harrisburg, 
Lancaster and Philadelphia, reaching New York at 10 p. m., where 
all the party was safelj' detrained. En route dinner had been served. 

During the week spent in attending the celebration not an accident 
occurred to any of the official party. The itinerary of the Com- 
mission was well carried out, and, as far as could be learned, every 
guest of the Commission was highly delighted and gratified with 
the trip. 

Great credit is due to Engineer and Secretarj' A. J. Zabriskie 
for the perfect railroad arrangements, and to Captain Charles E. 
Fiske, of the Adjutant-General's staff, for the splendid success of 
the Commission camp. 



26 



FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 



Many of the posts of the G. A. R. of the State passed resolutions 
commending the Commission for the care and consideration shown 
the veterans in every detail that would enhance their comfort and 
happiness during the celebration. 

New York State has every reason to feel proud of its splendid 
representation at this great celebration. Its veterans conducted 
themselves in every possible respect in a wa}' to reflect honor upon 
their Commonwealth. 

Respectfully submitted, in behalf of the New York Monuments 
Commission, 

LEWIS R. STEGMAN, 

Chainnan. 



NEW YORK DAY AT GETTYSBURG. 

NEW YORK VETERANS SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRA- 
TION OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG, 

UNDER THE DIKECTION OF 

THE NEW YORK MONUMENTS COMMISSION IN THE LARGE 
TENT ON THE BATTLEFIELD, 

At 4:30 P. M., Thursday, July 3, 1915. 

A Cordial Invitation Was Extended to All Union and Confederate 
Veterans and to the General Public. 

NEW YORK VETERANS CELEBRATION 
GETTYSBURG JULY 3, 1913. 

PROGRAM. 

Music — Citizens Band. 

1. Remarks by Colonel Lewis R. Stegman, U. S. V., Chairman 

of the New York Monuments Commission, introducing 
General Horatio C. King, LT. S. V., the Presiding Officer. 

2. Invocation — Rev. W. S. Hubbell, D. D. 

3. Introductory Remarks by Chairman King. 

4. Address — His Excellency, Hon. William Sulzer, Governor of 

New York. 

Music — Citizens Band. 
.5. Oration — Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, D. D., Pastor of Ply- 
mouth Church, Brooklyn. 
6. Hymn — " My Country, 'Tis of Thee ", Smith. 
The audience will join in the singing. 

My country, 'tis of thee, 
Sweet land of liberty, 

Of thee I sing. 
Land where our fathers died. 
Land of the Pilgrims' pride. 
From every mountain side 

Let freedom ring. 
[27] 



28 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

Our fathers' God to Thee, 
Author of libertj', 

To Thee we sing, 
Long may our land be bright, 
With freedom's hol_v light. 
Protect us by Thy might, 

Great God our King. 

7. Remarks — John H. Leathers, C. S. A., Sergeant-Ma j or, 

Second Virginia Infantry, Stonewall Brigade. 

8. Address — Colonel Andrew Cowan, U. S. V., President of the 

Society of the Army of the Potomac. 
Music — " Dixie." 

9. PoEJi — Colonel Edmund Berkeley, Eighth Virginia Regiment, 

C. S. A. 

Music — Citizens Band. 

10. Address — Captain Albert M. Mills, U. S. V., Eighth New 

York Cavalry, Gamble's Brigade, Buford's Cavalry. 

11. Poem — " Gettysbm-g " (by request), General Horatio C. 

King, U. S. V. 

12. Benediction — Rev, W. S. Hubbell, D. D. 

13. Music — " Star Spangled Banner ", Key. 

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS 

The special meeting of the New York veterans and invited guests 
under the auspices of the New York Monuments Commission was 
held in the great tent July 3rd, at 4 :30 P. M. More than five thou- 
sand veterans gathered at the exercises and manifested by their 
enthusiastic applause the rare literary treat afforded them. 

After music bj' the Citizens Band, Colonel Lewis R. Stegman, 
Chairman of the New York Monuments Commission, called the 
meeting to order, and said: 

Comrades of the State of New York, Comrades both Union and 
Confederate from all tlie States, who may be present, we bid you a 
very hearty welcome to our New York Day Celebration. I do not 
propose to make any lengthy remarks. Fifty years ago, upon this 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 29 

field, I made remarks that are indelibly impressed upon my memory 
and do not need to be repeated here. 

In the world's history there is no record of such fraternal greeting 
and brotherhood between old-time foes as is being exhibited on this 
great battle ground. It will never be repeated again. It could not 
be except between Americans, the most gallant and dauntless soldiers 
of the world. 

On this field was displayed a valor never surpassed in military 
annals. The men who fought here did not realize the tremendous 
consequences of the battle. It was the pivotal point of the war. 
It decided that we should have but one Govermnent, one Flag and 
one Destiny for the whole American people. And I am glad to saj'^, 
fifty years afterwards, that New York Boj's, Commanders and Men, 
plaj-ed an important part in the terrific engagement which decided 
this destiny. 

I now take great jjleasure in introducing to j-ou the presiding 
officer of this occasion. General Horatio C. King, of the State of 
New York. 

General King then asked the Rev. Dr. Hubbell, D. D., Chaplain 
of the Militarj^ Order of the IMedal of Honor to pronounce the 
Invocation. 

Prayer by the Rev. W. S. Hubbell, D. D. 

Almighty God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who hast given 
us liberty beneath this flag, in righteousness by the will of the people. 
Grant, we pray Thee, to the multitudes whom Thou hast ordained in 
power the spirit of wisdom and equitj', that our Nation may be 
established in peace, unity, honor and strength. 

Bless with Thy protecting care, Thy servants, the President of the 
LTnited States, the officers and men of the Army and Navy, our 
Governors, Law-makers, Magistrates, Counsellors and all others en- 
trusted with authority, so preserving them from evil and enriching 
them with good that our people may prosper in freedom and may 
glorify Thy name in all the earth. 

We ask it for the sake of the Prince of Peace. Amen! 



30 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

General Horatio C King: I feel it both a great honor and a 
great privilege to preside on an occasion of this character, one that 
has never been paralleled in all times, and probably never will here- 
after. When I look over this sea of aged men, I can hardly realize 
the lapse of time — fifty years — when you and I, my comrades, 
mere stripling boj^s, stood shoulder to shoulder and elbow to elbow 
in the greatest contest for the grandest purpose ever known in all 
the world. Surel}% the time has passed so rapidly that it seems but 
yesterday when we were engaged in that awful struggle. Time flies 
with all of us, and yet I feel, and you must feel with me, that in 
tramping over this field time is obliterated and we are boys once more. 

I am reminded of a pert little darkey in a Sunday school in Wash- 
ington, in her white dress with red furbelows, leaning back in her 
chair and fanning herself with a turkey feather fan, while the teacher 
was telling the class of things which occurred in Palestine a long 
time ago. " Yes, my dear children, the Saviour came into the world 
to save sinners, to save you and to save me — nineteen hundred years 
ago." The little darkey threw herself back and exclaimed, " My! my! 
how de time do fly." 

I am also reminded of another story; about a Dutchman who, 
having obtained a goodly share of this world's goods, went to an 
artist to have his father's picture painted. The artist said, " send him 
up here." The Dutchman replied, " Mein fader is dead." The artist 
asked, " Haven't you a photograph of him? " " Nein! nein! we 
have no picture of him whatever." But the Dutchman gave the artist 
the best description he could of the deceased parent and the accom- 
modating painter painted him from the figments of his imagination. 
When completed the family were invited to the studio, where they 
sat for some time in rapt admiration. Finally, Katrina broke the 
silence, and raising her hands heavenward exclaimed, " Ya! ya! 
Zat is mein fader, but mein Gott how he has changed ! " 

Well, we are somewhat older, boys, and we have changed some- 
what, but our hearts are as young as ever. I realize the fact that 



I 







SPEAKERS AT THE BIG TENT ON "NEW YORK DAY," JULY 3, 1913 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 31 

a presiding officer's duty is to preside. I am going to be brief in my 
remarks. About this hour, half a century ago, the last despairing 
effort was made to carry Cemetery Ridge. No more splendid valor 
was shown on any battlefield than that which determined the fate of 
the Confederacy, and covered both armies with imperishable renown. 
Looking forward fifty years seems an interminable vista. Looking 
backward the incidents are as fresh as if they had occurred yesterday. 
I have embodied this in a brief poem that I have called " A Retro- 
spect ", and I will read it to you. 

A RETROSPECT 

By General Horatio C. King 

The fleeting years, full fifty now, 

Are numbered with the past. 
And memory with all its joys 

And griefs come trooping fast. 
But first and foremost of them all. 

Stand forth in bold relief 
The days when you and I went forth 

To battle — these are chief. 

We hear the rattle of the drum. 

The bugles lively play. 
The tiresome march, the dusty roads, 

The halt at close of day; 
The gleaming camp fires' ruddy glow. 

The story, jest and song, 
And then the hours of blessed sleep 

That made the heart grow strong. 

The reveille at break of day. 

The hurrying to and fro. 
The long roll with its grewsome call 

As facing death we go 
Into the storm of leaden hail, 

Of screeching shot and shell, 
To realize what Sherman said 

That war — " Why war is hell ! " 



32 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

The hopes and fears that filled our hearts 

As wavering lines were broke, 
And straining eyes peered eagerly 

To pierce the veil of smoke 
That hid perchance the advancing line, 

The reinforcements true. 
That drove the exultant foemen back 

Gave victory to the blue. 

And then, alas ! the morning roll 

Along the shortened line — 
The voices now that answer not 

Until a power divine 
Shall rouse them from their shallow trench 

To hear the approving Lord, 
" These for their God and Country died ! 

And great is their reward." 

All quiet along the Potomac now, 

The mud-stained tents are down. 
The fires are out, the drums are dumb — 

Of war there is no sound: 
But o'er the land that we preserved 

Our flag still flies unfurled. 
The benison of future years. 

The glory of the world. 

General Horatio C. King: The comparatively young gentleman 
who sits upon the stage behind me had the misfortune to be born too 
late to enter into the great struggle celebrated here to-day, but I 
am sure that the fighting qualities he has manifested since he became 
Governor vi'ould have put him in the fore front of the battle. He is 
the honored Governor of the Empire State, and men of different 
political faith are lending him their loyal assistance in the splendid 
work he is doing of " making good ! " It is with great pleasure I 
now present Governor William Sulzer. 



ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR SULZER 

My Friends: 

WE meet on the far-famed field of Gettj'sburg, dedicated to the 
freedom of man, consecrated to the perpetuity of a reunited 
country; and memorable forever in the illustrious pages of 
our glorious liistory. 

No pen, no tongue, no brush, can ever picture or describe the 
scene enacted on this field. 

Gettysburg is fame's eternal camping ground — an inspiration 
and a shrine — the epic poem of the Union sacred to the heroic men 
living and dead, whose struggle here made Gettysburg immortal, 
and hallowed this gi-ound for all the centuries yet to come. 

All honor and all glory to the men, from upland and from lowland, 
that met here to do or die for Country. Their fame is secure. Their 
memory will endure. Their deeds shall never be forgotten. 

Fifty years ago, great captains, with their men in blue and gray — 
the bravest of the brave, from North and South, that ever faced a 
foe — struggled here and there across this plain, amid the roar of 
cannon, for three long weary days, in the mightiest contest that ever 
shook our land; and in that clash of steel, and by the trial of battle, 
it was decided then and there, that all men must be free, and that 
the Republic of the Fathers shall not perish from the earth. 

Half a century has come and gone since that terrible conflict, 
but the intervening years have only added greater splendor to the 
sacrifice sublime, and a grander glory to the victory triumphant. 

History tells us truly that on this field was fought the decisive 
battle of the war between the States; that it was here the flood tide 
of the fate of the Union — of all that we are, and all that we hope to 
be — turned toward Old Glory ; that it was here the triumph of the 
Stars and Stripes over the Stars and Bars saved from dissolution the 
greatest Republic the sun of noon has ever seen; and that the valor, 



34 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

and the heroism, and the devotion and the chivah-y here displayed, 
by the men of Lee and the men of Meade, will live throughout the 
years of time — the heritage of all — in the song and story of 
America. 

General Horatio C. King: There is scarcely anyone in this 
audience who has not heard of Plymouth Church in Brooklyn and 
of its marvelous master mind, the late Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, 
who passed over to the great majority twenty-six years ago. The 
service rendered bj^ that Church and by that Clergyman, during the 
four years of the war, were most important. Particularly so were 
the services of Mr. Beecher in that herculean effort which prevented 
the recognition by Great Britain and France of the Southern Con- 
federacy. Recognition would have greatly prolonged the war and 
might have compassed our defeat. Mr. Beecher was rewarded by 
President Lincoln, who designated him to speak at the flag raising on 
Fort Sumter at the close of the war. We have a noble Church and a 
very devoted people. Perhaps I can describe their devotion no better 
than by citing a single instance of an elderl}' ladj' who was very 
exact in respect to all the church services. She and her daughter 
kept a little home together. One evening after the dinner dishes were 
cleared away, the lady put on her things to go to Church. The 
daughter, knowing her mother's methodical waj's, exclaimed, 
" Mother! mother! aren't you going to wash the dishes? " " No, no," 

she replied, " to with the dishes, I'm going to prayer meeting." 

This devotion is universal with us still. 

I now take the greatest pleasure in presenting to j^ou a most 
worthy successor of Mr. Beecher, the Reverend Newell Dwight Hillis, 
D. D., Pastor of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn. 



ADDRESS OF REV. NEWELL DWIGHT 
HILLIS, D. D., 

Pastor, Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

GREAT battles, like great mountains, demand distance and 
perspective. Travelers never understand the Alps until they 
look back from Italy. Now that fifty years have passed since 
the battle of Gettysburg, the veterans of the Army of the Potomac 
have traveled far enough away to understand the place of their battle 
in the history of liberty. Time has cleared the sun^ot-efeuds. 
Students have had leisure to compare the Civil War^wi^other great 
conflicts, and Gettysburg with other decisive battles. Foreigners 
being the judges, Gettysburg marks the turning point in history. 
The historian Mommsen was not an American, but a German, and 
Monmisen thinks the Civil War was the greatest conflict in the annals 
of time. Green was not an American, but an Englishman, and John 
Richard Green thinks Gettysburg the most momentous battle in 
history. The dimensions of the war stir a note of wonder. The 
battlefield was a thousand miles in length; there were 2,000,000 men 
in arms. More than 2,200 battles were fought; every hillside of the 
South was billowy with the country's dead; an army of crippled heroes 
came home; another army of widows and orphans went comfortless 
through the land. In retrospect we see that the era of the Civil AVar 
was the heroic era in our country. It was an era of intellectual giants 
and moral heroes. It was the era of our greatest statesmen — 
Webster and Calhoun; it was the era of our greatest soldiers — 
Grant and Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas and Meade; Lee and " Stone- 
wall " Jackson. It was the era of our greatest orators — Wendell 
Phillips and Henry Ward Beecher ; of our greatest authors — Emer- 
son and Whittier, Longfellow and Lowell ; of our greatest editors — 
Raymond and Greeley. 

It was the era of our greatest agitators — Garrison and Love joy, 
and of our greatest President — the martyred Lincoln. The spectacle 

[35] 



36 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

is so wonderful that the historian must make room for an Infinite 
God to enter the earthly scene. 

The history of wars and battles is of two kinds — narrative 
history and philosophic history. The time for the narrative historian 
has passed by, and the time for the philosophic historian has fully 
come. Thoughtful men distinguish between the occasion of war and 
the cause of the conflict. The occasion of an explosion is a spark, 
but the cause is in the powder and the air. The occasion of the 
Revolution was a ship laden with tea, sailing into Boston Harbor; 
the cause was the determination of the Colonists to achieve self- 
government. The occasion of the Rebellion was slavery, but the 
cause of the war was the attempt to overthrow a government con- 
ceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are 
free and equal. Striking, indeed, was the influence of slavery upon 
the life and thought of the great South. By a singular coincidence, 
the year 1620 brought the Mayflower and the spirit of liberty to 
Plymouth Rock, and the same month brought the slaveship to James- 
town, Va. It was as if the morning star of hope appeared in the 
sky at the self-same time that the orb of night, of blackness and death 
stood on the horizon. From the beginning the institutions and the 
climate of the North were unfriendly to slavery. The Puritans be- 
lieved that the rewards of free labor were vastly in excess of the 
profits derived from slave labor. In some of the Northern colonies 
slavery died a natural death from inanition; in others, laws were 
passed freeing all slaves at the end of ten years. But on account 
of the excessive heat of the South, white men were not equal to pro- 
tracted labor under the August sun. The crops of the South were 
cotton, tobacco and indigo, and white men were not suited to their 
cultivation. Meanwhile, because of her wars, England needed all 
her own men at home, and in vain the Southern colonies advertized in 
London for English labor. Then it was that slave ships were fitted 
out, and black men were brought from Africa to supply the Southern 
need. At first the profits were small, but it was soon discovered that 
the kidnapping and selling of slaves was a most lucrative business. 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 37 

Just as the gold mines of California and Australia became the basis 
of name and fortune to certain English families, so the slave trade 
furnished the wealth of estates and titles in the seventeenth centiu-j'. 

In 1713, Queen Anne entered into a treaty with Portugal and 
Spain for a monopoly of the slave traffic. This treaty provided that 
Portugal should have exclusive right of assembling the slave gangs 
in the interior; that Spain should have the wholesaler's right of pur- 
chasing at the sea coast, while English ships were to have the sole 
right of carrying the slaves to the colonies. Between the year 1620 
and 1820, it is believed that two million slaves were transported from 
Africa to the Southern seaports, of whom two hundred and fifty 
thousand died upon the voyage. The time came when the South 
revolted from the traffic. Virginia passed a law fixing a time when 
no slave ships would be allowed to land. But the jDrofits of the Crown 
were so large as to appeal to the avarice and cupidity of King George. 
The English King sent a warship to the mouth of the James and 
threatened Virginia with bombardment if the law was not rescinded. 

But despite the rewards of slavery, the anti-slavery sentiments 
steadily grew stronger all over the South. When the first abolition 
meeting was held in Baltimore, in 1832, eighty- five Southern abolition 
societies sent delegates. It was a Southerner, also, Thomas Jefferson, 
who made the strongest protest against slavery at the time of the 
Declaration of Independence. " ^Vhen I remember the justice of 
God, I tremble for my country when I think of slavery," said the 
great Virginian. In the conflict the anti-slavery men were outvoted, 
and the provision excluding slavery from the country was lost in 1789 
by a single vote. But from the very beginning liberty and slavery 
were two opposing spirits. They fought in their infancy, quarreled 
in their youth, and in their manhood, in 1861, entered upon a death 
grapple. From the beginning it was certain that the house divided 
against itself could not stand. That either liberty would drive slavery 
into the Gulf and drown it, or slavery would drive liberty into the 
Great Lakes and drown freedom. The country had to be all one 
thing, or all the other. 



38 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

For two hundred and ten years liberty and slavery dwelt together 
in the national house, but little by little the South came to believe 
that slave labor was peculiarly fitted to their intense heat of the 
summer and to the cotton and tobacco which thej' cultivated. Slowly, 
also, the Northern merchants and manufacturers came to believe that 
the slave labor starved manufacturing, because the slave was a poor 
])uyer while the free laborer, winning a high wage through his intel- 
ligence, was a good buyer of tools, books, arts, comforts, conveniences. 
The South produced raw cotton, and sold that cotton in England, and 
received in return manufactured goods, and the South, therefore, 
inclined, toward free trade. The North held that wealth was not in 
raw material, but in the amount of intelligence put into cotton, wool, 
brass and steel, and, therefore, the North was increasingly interested 
in manufacturing and in the development of intelligent working men. 
From the beginning, therefore, it was inevitable that the two theories 
should come into collision. 

The men who set the battle in array were Webster and Calhoun. 
Webster said, " The Union is one and inseparable, and each State 
subordinate." Calhoun answered, " The State is sovereign and 
supreme, and the National Government secondary." Webster be- 
lieved that the Union was like the sun in the sky, and each State was 
a planet, revolving around the central orb. Calhoun held that each 
State was a planet, revolving in any orbit that suited it, and always 
free to break away from the other planets. Webster's favorite illus- 
tration was that of the human body. The whole body is supreme, 
and the hand and foot are subordinate members. Calhoun answered 
that if South Carolina was the hand or the foot, it had the right to 
cut itself away and leave the body to go its own way. For thirty 
years the discussion raged in Congress between Webster and Calhoun 
and Hayne. 

Little by little the discussion was transferred from the Senate 
Chamber tc the lecture platform and the pulpit. Finally slavery 
became the subject of universal discussion at the fireside, in the school- 
room and on the street car and in the daily press. Agitators went 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 39 

up and down the land inspiring in the people the love of liberty; 
editors began to sow the land with the good seed of freedom and love 
of the Union. The North was turned into one vast debating society. 
At length the voices became loud and angrj'. Growing more bitter, 
the slavery men murdered Lovejoj' in Alton, 111. Wendell Phillips 
became a voice for liberty in Faneuil Hall; Beecher sold the slave 
girl from Plymouth pulpit. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote her 
" Uncle Tom's Cabin." Charles Smnner answered the murderous 
attack of Brooks with the argument that liberty was universal and 
slavery sectional. John Brown dropped a spark in the powder maga- 
zine at Harper's Ferrj\ Then Beauregard fired on the flag at Fort 
Sumter. In a moment the whole Xorth was aflame, and the move- 
ment for the Union and Liberty swept like a prairie fire across the 
North. In that hour the discussion between Webster and Calhoun 
was submitted to the arbitrament of war. At Bull Run Calhoun's 
argument was in the ascendancy. At Gettysburg Webster's plea that 
the Union was one and inseparable seemed the stronger. At Ap- 
pomattox the discussion was concluded. Then Grant and Lee, 
representing the North and the South, wrote with a sword dipped in 
blood their approval of Webster's argument that the Union was one 
and inseparable, and that " a government conceived in liberty and 
dedicated to the proposition that all men were free and equal, shall 
never perish from the earth." 

In retrospect, therefore, we see that the occasion of the war was 
slavery, but the cause of the war was the love of the Union. Slavery 
was a cancer that had fixed itself upon the vitals of the South, and 
God anointed the soldier to be the surgeon to cut away the deadly 
disease, that liberty might recover her youth and beauty. 

There are certain critical moments in history that are big with 
destiny. Perilous hours come to the individual, the citj^ and nation, 
when everything hangs upon a single thread. That was a critical 
moment for Athens when her sons met the Persians at jNIarathon. 
That was a critical moment for civilization when Charles Martel met 



40 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

the Saracen with his polygamy and brute force. That was a critical 
moment for democracy when Wellington met the imperialism of 
Napoleon at Waterloo. That was a critical moment for the colonies 
when Washington set forth from Valley Forge. Big with destiny 
also was that hour when Lee set the battle in array at Gettysburg. 
For two years the South had been uniformly victorious. The Army 
of Virginia had won a series of brilliant victories. The South had 
come to feel that Lee was invincible — the man of destiny — whose 
star could not be eclipsed. 

The news that Lee had invaded Pennsylvania sent a thrill of 
terror across the land. On Sunday, the citizens of Carlisle and Har^ 
risburg left the churches to go forth and throw up breastworks; 
Philadelphia and New York were overtaken by panic. And then it 
was that JNIeade went up against Lee and his victorious host. It was 
an hour of destiny. Abraham Lincoln, rising from his knees in Wash- 
ington, saw an Invisible Figm-e enter his battle scene and take 
charge of the hosts. It was as if the Infinite God had said to the 
invading wave, fretted with fire as it rolled North: " Here stay thy 
proud waves; thus far and no further!" From that moment the 
cause of secession ebbed away like a receding tide. Gettysburg broke 
the spell of Lee over the army of the South. Southern people began 
to lose faith in their cause. 

Contrariwise, Gettysburg put new strength into the Northern 
soldier's arm, encouraged the banker to take the war bonds and fired 
the hearts of the farmers and the women and the workingmen, keep- 
ing the stuff at home that they might support the Soldier boy at the 
front. And it is not too much to say that it was Gettysburg that 
enabled the North to win the victory at Appomattox. 

But more striking still the influence of Gettysburg upon the 
attitude of England toward the North. From the very beginning of 
the war, the mother land was on the side of the South and slavery. 
The leaders of Parliament, like Gladstone and Salisbury, had invested 
in Southern bonds. Both wanted the South to succeed, that they 
might obtain their interest and conserve the capital. The English 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 41 

patrician who believed in aristocratic government did not want the 
Republic and democratic institutions to succeed. Lord Macaulay had 
prophesied the speedy smashup of the Republic. Carlyle scoffed at 
us, saying that our declaration of independence made the vote of 
Judas equal to the vote of Jesus. It seems strange that Carlyle could 
have said that the Civil War was simply the burning out of a dirty 
chimney ! 

But if the believers in monarchy wanted the Union to go to pieces, 
through the success of the South, the poor people of England wished 
the South to succeed for very different reasons. Several millions 
of people in England live on the cotton industry. Great cities like 
Manchester bought their raw cotton in the South, manufactm-ed it 
at home, and sold the cloth in Asia. The English spinners had reached 
the point of starvation — their bread, crusts; their raiment, rags; 
their days, want, and their nights, tears. Naturally these working 
people were on the side of liberty, but starvation fronted them, and 
the only hope of obtaining cotton and work was in the victory of the 
South. '\Mien, therefore, the news of Gettysburg reached England, 
Henry Ward Beecher, traveling abroad in search of health, saw that 
the psj'chological moment had come. Taking advantage of Gettys- 
burg, he began a nine days' oration, with its introduction at Man- 
chester, its first argument at Glasgow, its second in Edinburgh, its 
third in Liverpool and its peroration in London. Statesmen and 
scholars who were judges of oratory tell us that the world has heard 
no such eloquence since the day when young Demosthenes pleaded the 
cause of the Republic against Philip of Macedon. The London Times 
reported his opening speech in full, but published an editorial full 
of bitterness against the North, full of sympathy for slavery and 
secession and the South. Such was the excitement of the English 
people that the London Times found it necessary to publish in full 
Beecher's remaining speeches. 

When nine days had passed, the English nation experienced a 
revulsion of sentiment. Queen Victoria sent for her Prime Minister. 



42 



FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 



A messenger was sent to Paris. George W. Smalley, the repre- 
sentative of the London Times, is responsible for the statement that 
England and France had entered into a secret compact to recognize 
the South the following January, and that now the decision was 
reversed. From that hour the North had no occasion to criticise 
the attitude of England. Abraham Lincoln asked Henry Ward 
Beecher to lift the flag at Fort Sumter, saying that but for Beecher's 
speeches in England there might have been no flag to raise. Let 
us be just. One consideration remains to be stated. We must 
remember that but for Gettysburg there would have been no speeches 
by Beecher in England. It was the Army of the Potomac that 
spoke through Beecher's voice, and it was the thunder of victory 
after Pickett's charge that compelled England and France to stop, 
and retrace their steps. For in the hour of struggle and of victory, 
at high-water mark, it was decreed that France and England would 
never recognize the South, but would line themselves up v/ith liberty 
and the Union. 

Wonderful as was the influence of Gettysburg upon the cause 
of liberty and the Union, its influence upon eloquence and literature 
has not been less striking. It is a singular fact that the world's 
examples of supreme eloquence are all related to battles. Our 
country holds only four examples of supreme eloquence — Patrick 
Henry at Williamsburg, Wendell Phillips at Faneuil Hall, Henry 
Ward Beecher in England, and Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg. 
Marathon gave us Pericles' oration, the sedition of Catiline gave 
us the oration of Cicero, the struggle in India gave us Burke's 
indictment of Warren Hastings, and the collision between Union 
and Secession gave us Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg. In rank- 
ing the great men of history, Bismarck once said there are five 
supreme statesmen in all times. Strangely enough, it took all the 
other nations of the world 5,000 years to produce three of these 
leaders, while the young Republic, in 100 years, produced the other 
two — Washington and Lincoln. Great as has been the influence 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 43 

of the battle of Gettysburg it may be doubted whether in the long 
run the influence of Abraham Lincoln's speech will not prove an 
equally effective force upon democracy and liberty, and the destiny 
of the human race. The libraries hold no story so sublime and 
pathetic as the story of Lincoln. Be the reasons what they may, 
when the Ruler of Nations wishes to secm-e a forward movement 
of society, he has passed by the King's palace in favor of the poor 
man's house. When God wished a father for the bondsman. He 
went to the log cabin in Kentucky. Calling to his side heaven's 
favorite angel — the angel of suffering — He laid the poor man's 
child in the arms of the angel — and whispering " Oh, sorrow, thou 
best loved child of heaven and earth, take thou this child and rear 
him for me, and make him great. Plant his path thick with thorns, 
cut his little feet with sharp rocks, load his young back with heavy 
burdens, pull out of his arms everything that he loves, break the heart 
a thousand times, like a box of alabaster ointment, and when he 
is strong by burden-bearing, sj^mpathetic through suffering to the 
sigh of any black child — when every footprint up the Hills of 
Difficulty has been made crimson with his blood, bring him back to 
the throne, and with him shall be emancipated 3,000,000 slaves ! " 
That is how God made Abraham Lincoln to be the gi'eatest man 
in the history of the Republic. 

Our students to-day, in American Colleges, translate the orations 
of Demosthenes against King Philip and of Cicero against 
Catiline. Five thousand years from now, in Chinese universities, 
these students of the future may translate some oration out of 
English literature, but the oration will not be by Burke or Fox — 
by Gladstone or John Bright. That which the Chinese student will 
translate into his mother tongue will be the oration of Abraham 
Lincoln at Gettysburg. Wonderful in its simplicity, purity and 
sunniness of style, it is wonderful also because of the number of 
mother ideas of liberty that it contains. Edward Everett's oration, 
three hom's long, was a bushel of diamonds carefully polished. 



44 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

Abraham Lincoln's ten-minute speech was a handful of seed corn 
that has sown the world with the harvest of liberty. Gettysburg, 
therefore, broke the power of Secession, and freed the slaves on 
the one hand. But the greatest thing about the battle of Gettj's- 
burg is the fact that it made possible the speech of Abraham Lincoln, 
that has changed the history of libertj' for all time to come. 

Let us now make a large place for the indirect influence of 
Gettysburg upon the free institutions of other lands. Certainly 
the time has come when all the nations of the world are going to 
school to the j'oung republic. One hundred years ago, Sydney 
Smith scoffed at us, asking derisively, " Who reads an American 
book?" Now has come a time when England has a commission 
of educators studying our free high school system. Think of 
John Milton's country going to school in educational democracy to 
this young republic! Rome is 2,500 years old, but the Eternal 
City has sent its commission to study the liberty of this new land. 
Now you have Rome — Eternal Rome — sitting at the feet of the 
republic to learn. But yesterday ours was the only republic, arising 
like a new star upon the western horizon. Then France turned 
her gaze toward the new planet, and became herself a democracy. 
Now Switzerland is a republic. Then Portugal threw off her 
swaddling clothes, and came out of the tomb. To all intents and 
purposes Holland and Demnark are self-governing. Looking 
toward the Southern Cross, lo — all the governments of South 
America are republics. And last February, postponing their action 
until the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, four hundred millions of 
people in China cabled the capitals of civilized nations, saying that 
one-fourth of the hmnan race had given up autocracy, and gone over 
to self-government, under the influence of the republic. The great 
watchwords for which Abraham Lincoln stood are Liberty, Equality, 
Opportunity, Intelligence, and Integrity. Liberty — that means 
political democracy, and every youth a patriot toward his country. 
Equality — that means no special privileges to elect persons or 




I 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG io 

classes, but to every youth the right to chnib as high as his industry 
and abiUty will permit. Opportunity — all the barriers in the high- 
ways that lead to the schoolhouse, to land, office and honor must 
be opened to the washerwoman's child not less than to the banker's 
son. Integrity — our institutions are founded upon them, obedience 
to law and the path of law is the path to liberty. 

Be the reasons what they may, there is that in the industrial, 
intellectual and political progress and good fortune of our people 
that has captured the imagination of foreign lands. Your foreign 
despatches assert that the Emperor William of Germany, in his 
address made but j'esterday to his people, affirmed his belief that 
within three generations everj' country in Europe would have given 
up autocracy, government by one; autocracy, the government by 
the few; to go over to democracy, the government by the many; and 
to elect their own rulers and presidents under the influence of this 
republic. 

But the success of this republic and the Union was assured at 
Gett5'sburg. The defeat of the Union at high-water mark would 
have been the greatest disaster that ever overtook the children of 
men, and the victory at Gettysburg, safeguarding the Union, made 
America the educator of all foreign lands, by making it certain that 
a government conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition 
that all men are created free and equal, can permanently endure. 

Comrades and veterans of the Army of Virginia and the Arm}' 
of the Potomac: 

For all thoughtful men the great days in the history of our 
country are that first Independence Day, when the bell rang in 
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and that other July day, fifty 
j'ears ago, when the Infinite God entered the earthly scene and chose 
both for the North and for the South, and commanded the waves 
of invasion to stay at high-water mark. But scarcely less signifi- 
cant this day and this hour! For it is to the minute just fifty years 
ago by the stroke of the clock since Pickett's charge came to an end. 



46 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

Out of sixteen thousand men, three hundred leaped over the stone 
wall and fell upon the bayonets and the pistols of the Union soldiers, 
waiting to welcome them to their graves. Busied with many things, 
unfortunatelj% the ninety-five millions of our people do not to-day 
understand the full significance of this Reunion. Never before in 
the world's history have two armies that stood over against each 
other like two castles with cannon shotted to the muzzles, met in 
friendship, good will, and with a common enthusiasm for the same 
flag — when only fifty summers and winters have intervened. 

Now has come a time when we are not two sections, but one 
nation. Should Northern soldiers die in this hour, until there was 
not one man left who struggled here, you Union men could close 
your eyes in happiness and peace, knowing for a certainty that 
every interest dear to this country and our flag is safe in the hands 
of the Army of Virginia, and the sons and the daughters of the 
Old Confederate soldiers. They, too, hate slavery with a bitter 
hatred. They, too, love the Union and the flag with an immeasur- 
able love. If everj' Northern boy plaj's false in generations to come. 
Southern boys will stand true, for they have found out how slavery 
devastates and saps the industrial life of a people, and how liberty 
and union feed the vital forces of manhood. Gone, all the barriers 
that once separated! The last fire of hatred has died out into cold 
ashes. Blood has been red again, going to the roots that feed the 
blossoms of the tree of liberty. Now the whole nation is proud — 
proud of the men in gray and the men of blue alike! Though you 
old veterans live a thousand years, you shall never witness another 
day like this, nor another scene so significant and so glorious. 
To-day the whole nation is turned into a vast whispering gallery, 
and there is but one voice that speaks — the voice of liberty. 

Ninety-five millions of folk are we, but the nation has but one 
heart — and that heart is very proud. This pilgrim host is vast and 
immeasurable, but it has only one thought — that the land is one, 
and that the flag waves at the head of the Southern and of the 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 47 

Northern columns alike. It was said of that old hero, that going 
down into the river of death, he came up on the other side, and that 
all the hosts came out with trumpets and banners to meet him and 
not until you, scarred veterans, receive your final welcome and make 
your great entrance into the City Beautiful, will you know a day 
like this. In this hour, the pathos of your years is upon the land. 
Gone, yom* youth and your beauty! After four years in the army, 
multitudes of 3'ou came forth, shot through and tlirough, invalided, 
broken forever. And for fifty years your life has been one long 
Gethsemane, one black Via Dolorosa, when every day the Angel 
of Success offered a cup overflowing with bitterness. Now your 
long martyrdom is nearly over. Some of you say that you are old 
and broken. How can a soldier be old who has brought liberty — 
eternally young, eternally beautiful, into being? How can a veteran 
be poor who has achieved eternal riches of freedom for all the people 
of the earth? How can an old soldier be obscm-e when he is lifted 
up and made glorious in the presence of the assembled millions of 
his native land? Already, for a multitude, the signals are hanged 
out from the battlements of heaven. Here you shall " fold your tents 
and silently steal away." After all the thunder of Life's battle you 
shall encamp in the Promised Land, and hang out your signals of 
victory. But, going in, you shall not be unknown or unwaited for. 
Will not yom* companions in arms stand expectant? Will not the 
patriots, the heroes and the martyrs, who struggled at Marathon, 
who bled at Marston Moor, who fell at Valley Forge, or struggled 
unto death at Gettysburg, stand waiting to receive you? You have 
earned a right to come in, to be greeted by the great soldiers. Grant 
and Lee; by the orators who pleaded for liberty, by the statesmen 
who struggled for law ; by the heroes who died that the Union might 
live, and by the Great Emancipator, the Martyred President! And 
when the last roll call is heard, and the last page of this chapter 
of liberty is written, it shall be said, " I saw an old soldier come up 
out of the Valley and Shadow, and all the heroes came forth to 



48 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

meet and greet him, and with trumpets and banners they brought 
him home! " 

This masterly address was frequently interrupted with en- 
thusiastic applause. At its close General King said that such a 
discourse called for something more than a mere perfunctory vote 
of thanks and suggested that its appreciation be manifested by a 
rising vote. The vast audience arose and made the great tent ring 
with their resounding cheers. 

All then joined in singing " My Country, 'tis of Thee." 

General King: The blending of the Blue and the Gray is the 
distinctive and most beautiful feature of this great occasion. Many 
years ago at a Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Potomac 
in Burlington, Vt., a distinguished orator, Luther B. Marsh, 
epitomized this conmiingling in an exquisite illustration which I 
quote : 

" From the Helvetian Alps there comes a stream, which, in its progress of 
a few hundred miles, leaps down four thousand feet — during its turbulent 
descent beating its waters into foam — ■ enters and maintains its current through 
the length of the Geneva Lake, and thence emerges a river of pure and 
heavenly blue. From an opposite direction, down through the valley of the 
Chamouni, come the gray waters of another stream. After overcoming many 
obstructions, through valley and wood, through rock and gorge, over cascade 
and cataract, to maintain an independent career, these rivers approach each 
other near the City of Geneva ; and, as thej' come in sight, lo ! the Rhone and 
the Arve — the Blue and the Gray — rush to each other's arms ; and ere they 
completely blend, you may notice now a tinge of gray and now a gleam of blue, 
yet soon their confluent floods, ' like kindred drops are mingled into one '; and 
thenceforth these mountain torrents, with united force, with single will, with 
undistinguishable characteristics, and a common destiny, pursue their harmoni- 
ous course, till they become one with the azure sea, while the everlasting dome 
gives back its corresponding blue." 

Here to-day is exemplified the perfection of that blending in the 
presence of our Southern Brethren, in Confederate gray, one of 
whom, my beloved friend of many years. Major John H. Leathers, 
of Louisville, Ky., former Sergeant-Major of the Second Virginia 
Infantry, " Stonewall " Brigade, and who was wounded in this 
battle of Gettysburg, will now address you. 



ADDRESS BY MAJOR JOHN H. LEATHERS, 

FORMER SERGEANT-MAJOR, SECOND VIRGINIA INFANTRY, 
"STONEWALL" BRIGADE, C. S. A. 

I FEEL greatly honored at being invited to take part in the 
exercises of this notable occasion and on this notable day in 
American history. 

Fifty years ago I was here as a mere boy, as you were who 
participated in this battle, trying to fill my little place in one of 
the bloodiest conflicts of modern times. I am spared, as you are, 
to be here again to-day after the lapse of fifty years. All of us 
now are nearing the end of Life's pilgrimage, with a heart full of 
gratitude to the Giver of all good for health and length of days 
and the manifold blessings that have crowned the lives of both the 
Blue and the Gray who have survived to this time and are here 
to-day, not as enemies as fifty years ago, but to clasp hands as 
comrades and friends. 

Orators and statesmen and historians have eloquently told to the 
world the glory and renown both armies achieved on the bloody 
field of Gettysburg, and I shall not attempt to add anything to 
what has been said and written. 

Someone has said that seventy years should be called the ideal 
age of man; that at that age he realizes that he has about accom- 
plished his life's work and the romance and the fallacies of youth 
have all vanished and he can review the past philosophically and 
await the future with confidence and composure. 

All the bitterness of the war has gone with the flight of years. 
We stand here to-day glorying in one common flag — the flag of 
a reunited country. We are, as a nation, to-day stronger and 
greater than ever before — stronger and greater because fifty years 
ago great issues were settled that had to be met. AVe can all of 
us now, with one heart and with one voice, appropriate to ourselves 
the immortal words uttered here on this spot fifty years ago, that 

[49] 



\ 



50 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

" this is a government of the people, by the people and for the 
people," and that we, the survivors, both the Blue and the Gray, 
and our children and children's children will see to it that our country 
shall grow greater and stronger as time goes on. 

We cannot forget the memories of the past — nobody asks us 
to do that, or the cause for which we fought and bled and so many 
of our comrades died. These memories are part of our lives, but 
it does not take away from us the love of our common country or 
the glory and the valor of American manhood, no matter on which 
side it was displayed. We men of the South did the very best we 
knew how, and after the lapse of half a century we have no repinings 
or regrets at what the call of duty, as we believed it to be, bade us 
dare and do. 

Half a century changes the point of view. In 1861 we could 
not look forward, but in 1913 we can look backward. Nobody need 
now discuss the past. The men of the Confederacy have their faces 
turned toward the future. One man in every three who shouldered 
his gun and went forth to battle for the independence of the South 
died within four years. It was a dreadful tribute that was demanded 
from our people in the great war, and we paid it without a murmur, 
because we felt that we were battling for a great principle. We 
believed we were right. That was cause enough to call for the best 
that freemen could give. We gave all we had. 

There need be no uneasiness as to the future. The sons of the 
North and the sons of the South hereafter will stand together pro- 
tecting whenever and wherever necessary the flag of our country and 
our glorious institutions. 

General Horatio C. King: The next topic reminds me of a 
story of General George H. Sharpe when jjrovost marshal in the 
Army of the Potomac. It was in the spring of 186.5 when the two 
armies confronted each other across the Rapidan. As the campaign 
was near at hand, it was his duty to discover what reinforcements 
had reached Lee's army. So he selected a bright looking Rhode 



(1 



1 



1 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 51 

Island private and after coaching him sent him to the picket Hne. 
This was the coloquy which ensued: 

" Hello Johnnie, good morning; what regiment do you belong to?" 
" I belong to the 24th South Carolina; what regiment is yours? " 
" I belong to the 137th Rhode Island," was the Yank's reply. 

" You are a liar," yelled the Johnnie, " There aint a hundred 

and thirtj'-seven men in the State!" 

Many of our brilliant officers, at the close of the war, liked the 
South so well that they migrated South, among them the Captain 
of the First New York Independent Batter}^ which did such 
magnificent work at the Angle in repelling Pickett's immortal 
charge. No citizen of Kentucky is more respected, and he is beloved 
by every member of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, of 
which he is the honored President, Colonel Andrew Cowan, of 
Louisville. 



ADDRESS OF COLONEL ANDREW COWAN, 

FORMER CAPTAIN OF THE FIRST NEW YORK BATTERY AT 

GETTYSBURG, AND COMMANDER OF THE ARTILLERY 

BRIGADE OF THE SIXTH CORPS 

THE laying of a cornerstone of a peace monument bj' Presi- 
dent Wilson on July 4th had been a part of the plans of 
the Pennsylvania Commission for the celebration. The 
arrangements made for the final meeting on Julj' 4th were neces- 
sarily canceled, and none of the many speakers of the three big 
meetings had mentioned the proposed peace monument. 

Colonel Cowan, before beginning to make his address on the 
Army of the Potomac, spoke as follows: 



ABOUT THE PEACE MONUMENT. 

Comrades: It is hard to control my emotions when I recall the 
battlefield fifty years ago, almost at this moment. Pickett's brave 
men were in full retreat and we were holding the ground in the 
Angle and beyond to the Enmiitsburg road, thickly strewn with their 
dead and wounded and our own; we have listened to Major John 
H. Leathers, of the " Stonewall " Brigade (who fought and bled 
on this battlefield ) , while eloquently speaking to us of his proud 
memories of the war; his undying love for the Southern flag which 
led him in the battle; his warm expressions of love for our united 
country, and devoted loyalty to the Stars and Stripes. He has 
been my friend at our home city, Louisville, for many years. ^Vhat 
he said here endears him to us all and we proudly call him Comrade. 
Each daj', since I came here last week, my spirit has risen until I 
feel that should I remain here another week it might soar awaj' to 
the Eternal Camping Ground. 

Over there on the Cemetery Ridge an equestrian statue of General 
George G. Meade, the great conmiander of the Army of the Potomac, 

[52] 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 53 

stands facing Seminary Ridge. Does he look for Hill's 10,000 
brave men and Pickett's 5,000 gallant Virginians to return? Or does 
he look for the peerless leader of the Southern Army, General 
Robert E. Lee? A splendid granite pedestal erected by Virginia is 
now ready for the bronze statue of Lee, mounted on his famous 
war horse, Traveler. Then the forms of the two great militarj' 
commanders will stand fronting each other, while time endures. 
Behind us, a little way, at tlie clump of trees, is a monument which 
marks the " high-tide " of war on this field. This grand celebration 
of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle marks a high-tide of peace 
between the North and the Soutli, which shall never recede while 
Americans love liberty and the Union. 

The cornerstone of a monument to cost a million dollars will be 
laid to-morrow, July 4th, on Put-in-Bay, in commemoration of 
the centennial of Perry's victory over the British fleet on Lake 
Erie, September 10th, 1813. Such monuments possess an educa- 
tional value too great to be measured by their cost. Teach the 
youth of America to believe that patriotism is dearer than life, and 
there need be no fears for the future safety of our country. 

Comrades, should not a Peace Monument be erected on this 
battlefield of Gettysburg, in commemoration of this wonderful 
reunion of more than 50,000 soldiers in blue and gray who fought 
bravely and on so manj' other battlefields of the Civil War, for the 
principles in which both sincerely believed? The survivors of that 
terrible war, through which it was forever established that this 
nation, under God, should not perish, returned to the paths of peace, 
and wherever they went they strove to heal the nation's wounds 
and make the waste places fruitful again. They and their sons and 
daughters have made the richest and freest land on earth ; and through 
them, without regard to sectional lines, the spirit of peace and good 
will between us has been growing sweeter and stronger. Shall we 
not highly resolve to do all in our power to influence Congress and 
the States to erect a Peace Monument which shall be grander than 



54 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

anj" now here, or which may be erected hereafter on this great 
battlefield. 

Comrades: When I was under twenty-two, and most of you 
were younger, fifty years ago, these peaceful fields where our tents 
are pitched were swept by shot and shell. More than two years 
had passed since the first hostile shot was fired across the sparkling 
waters of Charleston Bay. The war had begun. Someone had 
said that his white cambric handkerchief would wipe up every drop 
of blood that would be shed. Fort Sumter surrendered after a 
gallant defense by Major Anderson and his United States regulars. 
Our flag had fallen. 

I remember how the news came to a little college town in North- 
ern New York. There was no shouting then, but a solemn stillness 
that could be felt was upon us. Two impetuous boys caught the 
early morning stage and enlisted as soon as the)' reached their 
homes. A whole company followed when the call for three-year 
volunteers was made. Of the two boys, one fell mortally wounded 
at Glendale, on the Peninsula, and died a few days later in Libbj' 
Prison. He was a handsome lad, brave and sweet, and his name 
was Deming — Captain Deming. The other boj^ was on the same 
battlefield that night, almost within hail, commanding the First New 
York Battery. If there happens to be one here who served at 
Glendale on the Peninsula and on this great battlefield with the 
Sixty-first New York Regiment, and its noble company of Hamil- 
ton boys — Brodie was their Captain — I should like to clasp his 
hand after the meeting adjourns. 

I am to speak of the Army of tlie Potomac, with which I served 
from early December, 1861, until the end of the war in 186.5 (with 
the Sixth Corps after it was formed). How often that army has 
been the theme for writers and speakers of all sorts! AVho will 
come afterwards to separate the wheat from the chaff, give credit 
only where honor was due and sift the truth from romance and 
exaggeration? I shall attempt to pass the career of the army in 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 55 

review before you, like a swiftly-moving panorama as one views it 
from the window of a Pullman car at rest. They are fresh pictures 
drawn mainly from memory. Those who served with me and observed 
as keenly would recognize the truth. 

The formation of the Arni)^ of the Potomac, following the first 
Bull Run, began with the arrival of the first three year's regiments 
in the early fall of 1861. Its camps, across the Potomac from the 
Capitol, stretched far up and down the river. General George B. 
]McClellan was the conmiander of the army. It was customary, 
indeed, to speak of the army as " McClellan's army," for he organized 
and trained it. "All quiet along the Potomac " became a daily 
message, and "Why don't the army move?" came the response 
from home. The armj'^ moved in the early spring of 1862, by river 
and bay to Fortress Monroe, where the little " Monitor " swung 
at anchor in the Roads; the huge " Virginia," hidden behind Sewall's 
Point beyond, and the wrecks of her victims, the wooden ships 
" Congress " and " Cumberland," lay sunken close to the shore above 
Newport News. 

The campaign on the Peninsula had begun. " On to Rich- 
mond ! " urged us forward. General Magruder, behind breastworks 
and forts at Yorktown, with about 20,000 men, halted our advance. 
Yorktown must be taken by siege. Big siege guns were brought 
up; engineers talked of parallels and approaches, and we burrowed 
and shoveled and built them, line after line, until all was ready at 
last for a grand assault. Magruder evacuated Yorktown that night, 
leaving us the empty bag. 

The First Vermont Brigade of Smith's Division had charged 
across the Warwick River, days before, at Lee's Mills, driving the 
enemy from the front line of breastworks, and holding them until 
General Smith was ordered not to bring on a battle. The gallant 
Green IVIountain Boys returned under a murderous fire. If they 
had been allowed to push forward, half a mile, the skeleton weak- 
ness of ISIagruder's army would have been exposed that day. We 



56 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

knew it, when we crossed at the same place to follow Magruder. 
Caution, in warfare, has often proved to be a poor captain. 

The battle of Williamsburg began with a costly front attack on 
Fort Magruder by Hooker; Hancock's reconnaisance in force the 
second day exposed the enemy's unprotected left flank. Early's 
attempt to cut off Hancock's Brigade and two New York Batteries, 
of Smith's Division, Sixth Corps, was easily repulsed. The road was 
again clear at daylight and we advanced up the Peninsula, until the 
church spires of Richmond could be seen from trees on Hooker's front. 

The Chickahominy River, a harmless-looking stream, divided our 
army in the middle. Soon the rain began to fall in floods and the 
little river suddenly overflowed its banks a mile, covering all the 
bottom land and sweeping away the weak bridges. Then General 
Johnson attacked McClellan. The battle of Fair Oaks, or Seven 
Pines, was desperately fought, with the odds heavily against the 
divided Army of the Potomac, but we held om- ground and the 
victory was ours. The Army of the Potomac had shown that it 
could fight. 

But we lay down behind breastworks instead of pushing " on to 
Richmond " while there was time. We lay there in poisonous swamps, 
waiting for reinforcements, while thousands sickened and scores died 
from fever and other camp diseases, caused by unwholesome water and 
unsanitary conditions. Meanwhile, General Johnson, the commander 
of the Army of Northern Virginia, who had been wounded, was 
succeeded by General Robert E. Lee, the peerless gentleman and 
accomplished soldier, destined to command the great Southern army 
to the end. 

General Lee assumed the off'ensive late in June and attacked 
McClellan's right wing, on the left bank of the Chickahominy, first 
calling " Stonewall " Jackson back from the Shenandoah to pounce 
on Porter's right flank, while Hill's Corps assaulted in front. Our 
left wing across the Chickahominy remained inert, instead of boldly 
advancing " on to Richmond," only sending small reinforcements 
across a bridge, at the right of Smith's Division, to Porter's relief. 



JiATTLE OK (i!:TTVSHri{(; .57 

I'ortcr's Fil'tli Corps was l)fatcn, afttT hard (iglitiiig, and witlidrcw 
at night to the Soutli hank of the river. 

The retreat to t!ie James Hiver, or a "change of 1)ase," as we 
called it, had commenced. \Vr fought at Savage Station and White 
Oak Swamp, and at Glendalc, or Charles City Crossroads, for Tree's 
army pressed after us. We fouglit every day and ran all night. 
Our last stand was made at Malvern Hill. There, with the Army 
of the Potomac on the defensive and the y\rmy of Norlheiii NHrginia 
recklessly aggressive, was fought the fiercest hattle on the Peninsula. 
I saw a thrilling part of it, for no place could he found there for 
the First New York IJattery, which had arrived at sumise from 
Charles City Crossroads, so we stood waiting for ordeis in front of 
the Malvern House. 

The Southern army, hlceding at every vein, fought to the limit 
of courage and endm-ance, until hrave men could do no more. We 
won a great victory that day and held the field in triumi)h; hut 
the retreat was resumed, in black darkness and through floods of 
rain with loud thunder and fierce lightning. 

The scene that greeted us at Harrison's Landing, when we reached 
there in the gloomy dawn, sick at heart and very weary, could hardly 
be described. The bi-oad plain was an ocean of mud, t-hurncd deep 
by thousands of wagons which had preceded us. ^Ve plodded across 
to the soaked fields and waited for the usual daily aj)pcarance of the 
enemy, but they did not uppenv. liCe's army had gone beyond the 
limit of human endurance at Malvern Hill. Even "Stonewall" 
Jackson slept. The Army of the I'otomac was nearly demoralized, 
but it had found itself. President Lincoln jjaid us a visit and was 
received with great enthusiasm when he reviewed the army. (Jeneral 
McClellan's i)lan to transfer his arniy across the James and attack 
Kiehmond from the South was not api)rovc<l. 

I'resently, (ieneral Pope, with his " head(|uarters in the saddle," 
flashed forth with an army from the defenses of Washington to 
capture llichmond and destroy lice's army, which the Army of the 
Potomac had failed to accomplish, (ieneral Lee withdrew his army 



58 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

from McClellan's front to invade Maryland and had soon driven 
Pope's army back to Manassas. 

The Army of the Potomac marched down to Fortress Monroe 
and embarked for Acquia Creek and Alexandria to rescue Pope 
and protect Washington. Some of us thought that our movements 
were strangelj' slow, but the water transportation was much mixed 
and wholly inadequate. The Sixth Corps arrived at Centerville, via 
Alexandria, only in time to check a second Bull Run stampede, which 
had begun at sunset. Pope's campaign ended ingloriously. 

General McClellan, who had been partially restored to favor 
marched his army through Washington to meet Lee's army in Mary- 
land. The Sixth Corps marched down Pennsylvania Avenue late 
that night and we sang and cheered when passing General McClellan's 
headquarters. The old refrain rang out again: 

" McClellan is the man. 
Wherever he leads, 
We'll show by our deeds 
McClellan is the man." 

Lee's advance corps was driven from the South Mountain passes 
and retired behind Antietam Creek to wait for the balance of the 
army, which had captured Harjier's Ferry, with its garrison and 
stores, and was hurrying to rejoin Lee at Antietam. Every hour's 
speedy march of McClellan's army meant victory for us. But the 
Army of the Potomac was moved so cautiously that the great oppor- 
tunit}' to win a decisive victory was lost. 

The battle of Antietam was an indecisive battle, fought by only 
a part of the Army of the Potomac, fatally slow to begin at the 
left, though grandly fought at the center. The Army of Northern 
Virginia, greatly inferior in numbers, withdrew across the Potomac, 
after a two days' battle, claiming a victorj'. I believe that history 
will record that the battle of Antietam was one of the greatest ever 
fought by the Army of Northern Virginia. 

The sunny and crisp days of September and October passed before 
the Army of the Potomac crossed over into Virginia to resume active 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 59 

operations. Priceless weeks of settled weather with fine roads had 
been lost. General McClellan was removed in November and Burn- 
side succeeded to the command. McClellan took leave of the army 
with a review of each corps in turn. The Sixth Corps was reviewed 
near Acquia Creek. McClellan was still the idol of the Army, and 
the enthusiasm which greeted him as he rode along the lines, in com- 
pany with Burnside, was thrilling. General Burnside had a rough 
road to travel. Unaccoimtable delay in bringing up the pontoons 
prevented him from crossing the army to the south side of the 
Rappahannock. 

Meantime, Lee's Army had occupied the heights across the river 
behind the town of Fredericksburg and far below it along the river. 
At last, in December, Burnside was able to put the army over, and 
promptly assailed Lee's already impregnable position. Assault after 
assault upon Marye's Heights and a sunken road below a strong 
stone wall, defended by Barksdale's Mississipians, was repulsed with 
great slaughter. The courage of our men, fighting in the open and 
dashing themselves again and again against that wall, was glorious, 
but it was madness. The attacks made by the left grand division 
below the town were feeble and ineffective. 

The Army of the Potomac was badly beaten, but retreated across 
the Rappahannock unopposed. Burnside next planned a winter 
movement — to cross the Rappahannock several miles above Fred- 
ericksburg and fall suddenly upon Lee's left flank. It was well con- 
ceived and started auspiciously, but the fine weather on which we 
relied suddenly changed; the bottom fell out of the roads and the 
army stuck in the mud before any considerable force had reached 
Banks Ford. Burnside believed that his generals had betrayed him 
at Fredericksburg; but the " nmd march " disaster was due to weather 
conditions, which quickly made the Virginia roads impassable. The 
winter passed in reorganization and recruiting the strength of the 
army. Burnside's request to be relieved had been granted, and 
General Joe Hooker succeeded to the command. 



60 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

The Chancellorsville campaign opened early in ]May, as soon as 
the weather and roads would permit. For a hrief time om- hopes 
of victory soared skyward. Hooker's published order led us to think 
that the enemy nuist fight us on " our chosen ground or ignominously 
flee." But we were sorely defeated, with heavy losses. The army 
recrossed the river, in floods of i-ain, and marched back through rivers 
of mud to the old camps opjjosite Fredericksburg. 

Within a month the proud and victorious army of Northern Vir- 
ginia abandoned Fredericksburg and moved into Marjdand and 
Pennsylvania. The Army of the Potomac followed, Meade suc- 
ceeded Hooker, who had asked to be relieved of the command. Here, 
at Gettysburg, the two armies met and the great battle of Gettysburg 
was fought. Our army acted mainly on the defensive, but the Army 
of Northern Virginia fought a fiercely offensive battle from the start 
to finish. At the close of the third day they began retreating to 
Virginia, defeated but defiant still. Gettysburg was the first decisive 
victory won by the Army of the Potomac, which never again met 
with a decisive defeat, although we came perilously near it the evening 
of the second day's battle in the Wilderness. The Army of Northern 
Virginia was commanded from bottom to top by the best manhood 
of the South; and at the head was General Robert E. Lee, the South's 
greatest captain. " The road to Appomattox was to be a long and 
bloody one." 

We had loved McClellan, we had liked Burnside, and we had 
admired Hooker. Almost on the eve of this great battle of Gettys- 
burg we were given a new commander, an officer almost unknown 
beyond the Fifth Corps. General Meade won our respect, and was 
the Commander of the Army of the Potomac to the end. General 
Grant was made commander of all the armies, and wisely chose to 
make his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac, " far from 
the madding crowd " at Washington. We received him coldly at first. 

The campaign of 1864 was planned by Grant and began May 3rd. 
The armies of the East and the West were thenceforth to act together 
for a definite and common purpose. We were soon put across the 




THE GENERAL WADSWORTH MONUMENT ON SEMINARY RIDGE 
Where battle began, July 1, 1863 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 61 

Rapidan and headed for Spotsylvania; but Lee attacked our flank 
in the heart of the Wilderness, a dense forest growing out of tangled 
thickets, a sinister and gloomy battlefield, and we were compelled to 
halt and fight. Two days of terrific fighting followed. The Army 
of Northern Virginia had never before fought with such desperation. 
Longstreet's Corps in the forenoon of the second day (Longstreet 
was a great soldier) was sweeping down the Brock Road with cyclone 
speed and fury, smashing in our left flank and breaking line after 
line, until he fell from his horse seriously wounded by the mistaken 
fire of his own men; just as " Stonewall " Jackson was mortally 
wounded at Chancellorsville. His victorious legions were halted then, 
giving Hancock time to rally his disordered forces and form a new 
line which could not be carried. Our left and center were then safe. 

General Sedgwick, who held the right with the first and third 
divisions of the Sixth Corps, was fiercely attacked about dusk by 
Early's Division of Ewell's Corps. General John B. Gordon's 
Brigade crept behind our flank in the thickets, captured two of our 
generals, Sej'mour and Shaler, and fairly rolled us up until General 
Sedgwick rallied his men and quieted the threatened panic. Sedg- 
wick was able to check Early's attack, which had taken us by surprise, 
but he had to establish a new front during the night. So, on both 
the left and right, in the Wilderness, May 6th, we came perilously 
near to a decisive defeat. 

The Sixth Corps began to leave its breastworks the following 
night, after a whole day's rest, disturbed only by slight skirmishes. 
We thought that the army was going back across the Rapidan, and 
we marched with drooping spirits, until we came to the road, and 
were turned to the left, away from the Rapidan. I have never heard 
such cheering by our men. The roar was taken up and carried back 
along the marching column, and from the forest and thickets on our 
right flank came the shrill yells of the Confederates, who didn't know 
why we were happy. 

General Grant had won our confidence, and from that hour he 
never lost it during the war, nor afterward. We were marching that 



62 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

night on the road to Spotsylvania, where our beloved Corps com- 
mander General John Sedgwick, was killed May 9th, only two days 
later. I saw his body passing in an ambulance behind the First 
New York Battery, which was in position close to the place where 
he was killed by a sharpshooter. That was a sad day for the Sixth 
Corps. There were several assaults on the enemy's breast- 
works the following day, but none gained more than a temporary 
advantage. Rain began to fall about six P. ]VI. on the 11th and it 
was a wild night. Hancock's great corps charged, in the wet, foggy 
dawn of the 12th, cajituring the enemy's breastworks, with most of 
General Edward Johnson's Division and about eighteen guns. Two 
guns of the First New York Battery serving that day with Han- 
cock, as it had served at Gettj'sburg, July 3rd, were then placed at 
the Landrum House, General Hancock's headquarters, and the two 
were concealed in a ravine behind the hill. 

Lee struck back at Hancock, about 9 A. M., and regained a bold 
salient in the line, with strong breastworks, which we had not time 
to overturn. Our infantry fell back before the furious rush, but 
rallied within a hundred yards, and held fast there on the open field 
below the breastworks. Their rapid fire poured over the Confederate 
trenches constantly until after dark. Supplies of ammunition were 
repeatedly carried to the infantry on stretchers. A battery, which 
had many of its horses killed at the first deadly voUej^s from the 
enemy, hastily withdrew. Then the two guns of the First New 
York Battery galloijed from the ravine behind the Landrum House 
and took position on a ridge a hundred j^ards behind the infantry. 
These two guns fired over the heads of our infantry all day, and into 
the night while the rain never ceased. A battery of brass Coehorn 
mortars was placed later in the day a hundred yards behind the two 
guns and fired over them to drop shells in the salient. The Con- 
federates slipped awa}^ about midnight. Next morning, in the raw 
dawn, I stood on top of the salient and looked down into its trenches. 
I was wet and very weary myself, but those men in ragged gray clothes 




o a 



o s 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 63 

had stood in that trench, amid dead and dj'ing comrades, for half 
a day, half way up to their knees in water that hecame dark with 

blood. 

I saw an oak tree, nearly two feet in diameter, prostrate on the 
ground, a few yards behind the breastworks. It had been cut down 
by bullets alone which had streamed over the salient for hours, from 
the rifles of our infantry. The army again advanced, " sideways " 
from Spotsylvania to Cold Harbor, with engagements every day. 
Cold Harbor had been a part of McClellan's battlefield in June, 1862. 

Now the Army of the Potomac was to fight another and deadlier 
battle on the same ground. From the breastworks of the First New 
York Battery, a stone could be thrown into the mouths of the 
enemy's guns, so close were the two lines at that place. Heavy 
assaults were made at several points; one assault after another was 
made against the breastworks, where the enemy caught our lines with 
a murderous fire on both flanks and front, far short of its goal, and 
we were repulsed with great slaughter. The losses sustained at Cold 
Harbor were terrible. A retrograde movement of the army from 
Cold Harbor and over to the south side of the James River, to the 
vicinity of Petersburg, accomplished another " change of base." Part 
of Lee's army had already occupied Petersburg before our advance 
could take the town. We got an outer line of redoubts, which 
were found deserted. The siege of Petersburg began. 

General Lee soon detached Early's Division with orders to clear 
the Shenandoah Valley again ; give Washington a bad scarce at least 
and compel Grant to detach a large force from his front to oppose 
Early, who swept everything before him until General Lew Wallace, 
with a force of odds and ends, and two brigades of Rickett's Division 
of the Sixth Corps from Grant, checked and held him fast for two 
days at Monocacy in Maryland. Early then marched on, unopposed, 
to the outskirts of AVashington, which, apparently, was at his mercy. 
But the Second Division of the Sixth Corps and the First New York 
Battery arrived in Washington from City Point in the nick of time 
to blast Early's hopes. After a short engagement in front of Fort 



64 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

Stevens that evening, Earlj' retreated, followed closelj' to the Shenan- 
doah by the Sixth Corps, with several batteries from its artillery 
brigade. 

It became necessary for Grant to form the Army of the Shen- 
andoah, from the Sixth, Eighth and Nineteenth Corps, and two 
divisions of cavalry to protect Washington and destroy Early. Gen- 
eral Sheridan was sent from City Point to command the new army. 
The battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek followed 
and practically finished Early's career. The Sixth Corps, without 
its batteries, which were detained at Washington until navigation 
opened down the Potomac, returned to City Point. A winter of 
intense cold passed slowly. 

The final campaign of the Army of the Potomac began late in 
March, and after a severe battle at Five Forks, a successful assault 
"was made April 2nd along the entire Petersburg line of fortifications. 
Petersburg was taken. Riclmiond was evacuated and occupied by our 
forces under Weitzel. The Army of Northern Virginia was retreat- 
ing to the South, followed closely by the Army of the Potomac. The 
sanguinary battle of Sailor's Creek was fought April 6th. Ewell's 
Corps surrendered on the battlefield to the Sixth Corps, commanded 
by General H. G. Wright, since Sedgwick's death. 

Three days later General Lee surrendered his army to Grant, 
when there was no longer any hope of escape and further shedding 
of blood was useless. Rations were promptly issued to the starving 
Confederates. Our esteemed comrade, General Horatio C. King, had 
a part of that relief work, which was generously performed. The 
" Yankees " emptied their haversacks for the " Johnny Rebs." A 
feeling of sympathy and of admiration for the brave and dauntless 
men in gray who had fought us for four years and beaten us so often, 
was manifested in a hundred ways. Grant's terms allowed the men 
to keep their horses and the officers their horses and side arms. Each 
Confederate command was marched to a designated place, stacked 
their arms and banners and received their parole. The war for them 
and for us was over. 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 65 

One incident of the surrender I may be allowed to describe: 
General Joshua L. Chamberlain, commanding the First Brigade, 
First Division, Fifth Corps, was directed to receive the surrender of 
the guns and flags. His troops were standing at the roadside when 
General Gordon's command approached, marching to stack their 
arms and banners. General Gordon, a prince of soldierly courage, 
rode at its head. Chamberlain, from the old Pine Tree State, where 
brave men are born and bred, with admiration for Gordon and his 
ragged men in gray, gave the orders, "Attention! Carry Arms! 
Present Arms! " The gi'ay column halted. Gordon swept his horse 
in front of Chamberlain and called to his command, " Front into 
line! Attention! Present Arms! " The Southern flags returned the 
salute to Old Glory. You may long search the records of chivalrous 
deeds in warfare to find a match for Chamberlain's and Gordon's at 
Appomattox. 

Old comrades and friends of the blue and the gray: Fifty years 
after the great battle of Gettysburg, there is peace and good will 
between us. We are united in love for our country, " the land of 
the free and the home of the brave ;" we are devoted to our country's 
flag, which sons of the South and of the North followed unitedly 
and bravely in the War with Spain. We are afloat on the stream 
of time, which runs to the land of peace and rest. 

ROW, BROTHERS, ROW! 
" Faintly as tolls the evening chime, 
Our voices keep tune and our oars keep time; 

Row, brothers, row ! 
" Row, brothers, row; the stream runs fast; 
The rapids are near and the daylight's past. 

Row, comrades, row ! " 

General Horatio C. King: The Eighth Virginia Regiment, Con- 
federate, had the unique distinction of having three brothers as its 
field officers. One of them is with us on this platform and is within a 
few months of the ninetieth anniversary of his birth. We have been 
warm friends for a decade and it is with affectionate interest and 



66 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

enjoyment that I now present to you the surviving brother, a soldier 
on this field, Colonel Edmund Berkeley, who will recite an original 
poem. 

Colonel Berkeley, clad in Confederate gray, and as erect as he was 
fifty years ago, advanced to the front and with clear ringing voice, 
that reached beyond the great audience, recited this poem: 

O Lord of love, bless thou to-day 

This meeting of the blue and gray; 

Look down from heaven upon these ones, 

Their country's tried and faithful sons ; 

As brothers side by side they stand. 

Owning one country and one land. 

Here, half a century ago. 

Our brother's blood with ours did flow; 

No scanty stream, no stunted tide, 

These fields it stained from side to side; 

And now to us is proved most plain 

No single drop was shed in vain. 

But did its destined purpose fill 

In carrying out our Master's will, 

Who did decree that war should cease 

And this his chosen land have peace; 

And to achieve this glorious end 

We should four years in conflict spend, 

Which done, the world would plainly see 

Both sides had won a victor}- ; 

And then this reunited land 

In the first place should ever stand 

Of all the Nations far and near. 

On east or western hemisphere. 

Brothers, to-day in love we've met, 

Let us all bitterness forget, 

And with true love and friendship clasp 

Each worthy hand in fervent grasp. 

And in remembrance of this day 

Let one and all devoutly pray, 

That when our earthly course is run 

And we our final victory won, 

Together we'll pass to that blessed shore 

That ne'er had heard the cannon's roar. 

And where our angel comrades stand 

To welcome us to heaven's bright strand. 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 67 

General Horatio C. King: The lateness of the hour limits me to 
the mere presentation of another gallant Union soldier, Captain 
Albert M. Mills, of Little Falls, N. Y., formerly of the Eighth New- 
York Cavalry, of Buford's Division. 



ADDRESS OF CAPTAIN ALBERT M. MILLS, 

EIGHTH NEW YORK CAVALRY, BUFORD'S DIVISION 

Comrades and Felloav Soldieks: 

IT is not worth while to add anything to what has been said. In- 
deed words are superfluous now. The solemn utterance made 
by you here fifty j'ears ago is still heard in every corner of the 
world. 

We are exceedingly fortunate all of us, both the Blue and the 
Gray, to be permitted to be here at this time, tenting on the old 
camp ground. This is not the first time we have come to this place, 
but it is our first visit to Gettysburg. We came here fifty years ago. 
We did not heed the place to which we came or heed the name it 
bore. Now the whole civilized world knows that fifty thousand veteran 
soldiers are making their devout pilgrimage to the immortal spot, 
Gettysburg. 

Fifty years ago we came here under different conditions than 
those which now prevail. Then we were stern soldiers in arms seek- 
ing only a conflict with the enemy. Now we are only peaceful pilgrims 
to one of the most sacred shrines in our sanctified land. And vastly 
a more essential difference attends our footsteps here at this time. 
Now we are not expecting a foe, we can discover no enemy. Comrades 
on both sides: The joy of this day does not imply a forgetfulness 
of the fearful battles of carnage and blood through which we passed. 
The sectional conflict in which we were engaged was at the time bitter, 
fierce and fearful. There was on both sides much of prejudice, in- 
tolerance and animosity, but there was also on both sides the Army of 
the Potomac victorious. It seems as though almost the only thing 
that remained to be done, to establish the Confederacy as one of the 
nations of the earth and sever the Union of the States, was the 
recognition of the Confederate Government by Great Britain. The 
English Government was doubtless anxious, for reasons of commerce 
and on other grounds, to recognize the Confederate States. The 

[68] 




Z 3 

UJ "^ 



L 



I 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 69 

sympathies of the British Government were against us in the war at 
that time. It was before Mr. Beecher performed the glorious service 
of turning the popular mind of the English people toward the Union 
side in the war. There were some exceptions in the House of Lords, 
but the ministers of England, including Mr. Gladstone, were in 
sympathy with the effort to dissolve our Union. We had two friends 
in England — John Bright in the Commons and Queen Victoria on 
the throne. Mr. Bright's friendship was prompted bj' his great love 
for the human race and his ardent desire that all men should be free. 
The Queen was moved by the tender sentiments of her mother love. 
She remembered the loyal reception and kind treatment that were 
given by the United States to her son, the Prince of Wales, in 1860. 
Victoria took pains to see that in the diplomatic correspondence 
between England and our Government there should be no offensive 
utterances which should provoke an open breach. A gentleman who 
was, after the war, a minister to the Court of St. James told me 
that he saw in the archives of the British government a draft of a 
despatch to our government which had been prepared by the English 
ministers concerning the Trent affair, which was so offensive in its 
tone as to have necessarily provoked war. The Queen with her own 
hand had erased the irritating expressions and left the matter suscep- 
tible of peaceful settlement. 

I remember vividly, too, how the anxieties increased and passed 
almost to consternation during the first day's fight when the Con- 
federate troops gradually pressed us back, gaining every successive 
foothold, and drove the Union Army almost in disorder through the 
town of Gettysburg. At night fall, when the fighting had ceased 
and the Confederates held the ground of the day, there were many 
anxious hearts on our side in great fear lest the battle would be lost. 
The second day was the decisive one. It was the most critical day 
of the three. When at the dark of that day the Confederate forces 
were repulsed, new courage arose on our side, for we felt sure that 
the decisive event of the war would be with our flag. On the third 



70 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

day there was bloody fighting, but it accomphshed nothing. It was 
simply a waste of human life. 

There were two ji-ears of campaigning and fighting after that, 
but the great battle of Gettysburg, followed by the capture of Vicks- 
burg, turned the tide of the war, which flowed from that time on 
to the ultimate negotiations of peace and the re-establishment of the 
Union. That happened two years later, in 1865. As we contemplate 
all this history and congratulate ourselves upon the fact that of it 
all we were a part, it is no wonder that we meet to live over again 
those days and commemorate the deeds of that time. It seems to me, 
however, comrades and fellow-soldiers, that the greatest credit of it 
all comes at the end when the fighting in the field was over. At that 
time there came the greatest glory to the Army of the Potomac and 
the same glory came to the Army of Northern Virginia. When all 
the suffering had been endured, when all the martial glory had been 
won, these two armies which had been for four years learning the 
science of war, constituted two of the greatest instruments of destruc- 
tion the human race ever knew. They could have turned on the 
Republic of America and no power on earth could have prevented 
them from usurping the government and all that it meant. The 
Army of the Potomac was equipped with the most approved style of 
arms. It was oi'ganized and accustomed to obey implicitly the orders 
of its commanders. Might there not be a repetition of so many 
instances in history when the commander of the army should proclaim 
himself dictator and the soldier follows him to the establishment of a 
despotism. No such thing occurred. No thought of it ever arose. 
No leader dared to proclaim himself for any such purpose, and if 
he had the loyal guns of the soldiers would have been immediately 
turned against him. On the contrary, we behold the inspiring spec- 
tacle, silently as the mist fades before the rising sun, that vast army 
of almost two hundred thousand armed men melted away and is lost 
in the community of peaceful law abiding citizens. The same is true 
of the Army of Northern Virginia. Had that army been composed 




- i 

1 2 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 71 

of Mexicans, or of some Latin races, the chances are that it would 
have broken up into a hand of guerillas, to make war in scattered 
sections upon organized society, but they were not jNIexicans, they 
were chevaliers and covenanters, and Avhen at Appomattox Grant 
said, " Let us have peace," these grim trained veterans of war, 
oppressed somewhat by the disappointment they must have felt, went 
quietly to their homes and resumed the ways of peace, and the Repub- 
lic of America lived. Thus the Army of the Potomac and the Army 
of Northern Virginia in the space of a single day passed from the 
destroying avocation of war to the productive pursuit of peace. As 
soon as peace was proclaimed, peace in fact prevailed, and then there 
was exhibited what seems to me to be the most sublime spectacle of 
all that period. It was demonstrated and i^roclaimed to the world 
everywhere that we of the Xorth and you of the South were in fact 
one homogeneous people; the true custodians of the most orderly, 
self-restrained, law-abiding liberty, with which mankind was ever 
blessed. 

My friends, I have been asked to say a word about the State of 
New York in this great battle, but it is not necessary to say it, because 
its part is amply revealed on the pages of history, and j'^ou yourselves 
were a part of it. You know that the State of New York contributed 
to this battle about one-third of all the forces engaged on the Union 
side. No word, I say, can ever be construed as disparaging any other 
State, or any other portion of our army. We recognize that the 
State of New York sustained a little more than one-third of the whole 
loss, and there is to that an added glory which attaches to the record 
of our State and its part in this battle. I refer to the deeds of 
General Daniel E. Sickles, and General Henry W. Slocum. It is 
not too much to say that those two valiant sons of New York on the 
critical second day of this battle saved both flanks of the Union Army. 
General Sickles, with great military skill and remarkable foresight, 
placed the forces on the left and directed their movements so as to 
foil the plan of General Lee to turn our left flank, the plan by which 



72 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

he expected to win the battle. And General Sloeum by his skill in 
disposing forces and his persistent courage and abilitj^ held and saved 
the position of Gulp's Hill, which was at one time almost lost. If 
lost it would have meant the complete rout of our forces. It was 
my good fortune to have known General Sloeum well, and to know 
him was a benediction. He was one of the most amiable and agree- 
able gentlemen I have ever met. In war he was a whirlwind, but in 
peace he was as gentle as a woman. More could be said about the 
State of New York in this struggle, but it is not necessary at this 
time. These few suggestions which I have made at this time are 
enough to recall some portion of the history of our State in this con- 
flict, and to revive your recollections upon that subject. 

It is not my intention to make a speech on this occasion. I am 
not going to say more about the battle of Gettysburg, but I want to 
draw your attention to one thing, that is, that in the face of this 
glory which was won here, in view of the fact that from this decisive 
battle there flowed those remarkable blessings which have been so 
ably portrayed by Dr. Hillis, there comes home to us, or ought to 
come to each one of us, the fact that our duties as a loyal army, 
and secondly as individual citizens of this great Republic, are yet to 
be performed. In these declining years of our lives, some may say 
that we have done enough. Some say that the Republic owes to the 
soldiers a lasting debt, but this my friends is a false view. No matter 
what any citizen has done, the Republic and the Government owe 
him nothing. Some generations of our people are called upon to 
render more patriotic services than others, but whatever service the 
occasion demands it is our duty to render it, and until we lie down 
for the last time and pass over to the great majority, our patriotic 
duty is not and will not be done. To preserve these great blessings 
we and those who come after us are called upon to render services to 
the government and the institutions under which we live, which are 
in some ways more difficult than were the services rendered on the 
battlefield. There have arisen economic questions and social condi- 
tions in this land which call for the greatest wisdom, the most patriotic 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 73 

zeal and fidelity to the organizations of the government and the 
foundations upon which its institutions rest. The time has come 
when it is necessary that the people should revive a keen sense of 
justice in public affairs, of that justice to all men and their legitimate 
interests, without which an intelligent, self-governing people cannot 
long exist. 

It behooves the people of this land to stop for a moment and 
see whether they are not going pretty fast in public and semi-public 
affairs. The public atmosphere is filled with the very spirit of 
injustice. The time has come when a simple accusation exploited 
in public places is received as an argument for the adoption of 
some public policy. A mere epithet flung at a public character or 
group of citizens is accepted as a reason for pursuing some indicated 
course of action. The public sense and disposition steered and 
fostered through the channels of public information are inclined all 
too hastily to make judgment precede the trial and conform to the 
prejudices that have been aroused by the charge, instead of waiting 
until the facts are ascertained and a dispassionate decision can be 
made. I believe these tendencies of the public mind threaten harm 
to all. It is high time that this trend should be recognized and cor- 
rected. You have been here celebrating this remarkable event of 
the battle of Gettysburg, and as you go to your homes your patriotism 
will be undoubtedly refreshed, and I beg you to remember that 
changes have come in the conditions of the people. Our society has 
become more highly organized than it was fifty years ago. A rapid 
nmltiplication of people and the introduction of new races have 
brought in new theories, many of which are rank heresies to the 
Anglo-Saxon race. Conflicting aims and desires have been intro- 
duced, and we see that almost everywhere there is prevelant social 
strife and contention among men which were unknown to us in our 
earlier days and with which former generations of our people were 
wholly unacquainted. It devolves upon us to exercise the greatest 
wisdom and the most conservative restraint to the end that full 
justice shall be done all. Agitators and those who in public places 



74. FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

seek to accomplish selfish ends by the demagogue's art must be 
rebuked and suppressed by the stern and resolute enforcement of 
salutarj' laws. It is of the utmost importance also that we see to 
it that the laws shall not become distorted or poisoned with injustice. 
The demagogue is too apt to appear and arouse the resentment of 
the populace to serve his selfish end. 

This is the danger which Lord Macauley meant when he pro- 
phesied that the American Republic would not last beyond a hundred 
3'ears, but would fall ruined by the passions and injustice of its own 
people. The prophecy, happily, did not come true, within the time 
set by the learned statesman, and it is incumbent upon us to see to 
it that it never comes true. It seems to me that the plain principle 
by which this nation nmst live and this people with its government 
endure, is the one I have sought to inculcate, and that is justice — 
orderly, patient justice to all. 

Let us endeavor then from now on to appreciate and observe 
the patriotic duty that still lies before us. Let us so act as citizens 
of this Republic that all our people and their interests shall be 
served alike; that in public affairs there shall be truth and righteous- 
ness ; that in private life there shall be peace and comfort and happi- 
ness. Let us see to it that wise rulers are placed in public positions 
charged with economic duty, that some laws shall be passed and 
some others defeated, to the end that there may be the widest oppor- 
tunity in this land of ours for all men to live and live well. 

General Horatio C. King: By request of the New York Monu- 
ments Commission, I will now read an original poem appropriate to 
the occasion. 

GETTYSBURG 

By General Horatio C. King 

Fair was the sight that peaceful July day 
And sweet the air with scent of new-mown hay, 
And Gettysburg's devoted plain serene 
Resplendent shone with waves of emerald green. 



1 




THE GENERAL SLOCUM MONUMENT AT STEVEN'S KNOLL, GULP'S HILL 

(Commander of right wing of Union army) 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 75 

The western heights, where close embowered stood 
The sacred shrine, near hidden in the wood. 
Recked not of war, but echoed with the tread 
Of God's meek messengers of peace, who led 
The thoughts from earthly things to things above, 
And taught the wayward heart that God is love; 
While far across wide fields of golden grain 
Another ridge uprose from out the plain ; 
And in its bosom, freed from earthly woes, 
The dead of ages lie in calm repose. 
Two bloody days across the stricken field. 
Two angry hordes in ghastly combat reeled. 
And welcome night its dusky mantle threw 
In pitying love to hide the scene from view. 

Again the bugle with its piercing call 
Awoke the soldier from deep slumber's thrall; 
With anxious waiting, nerved by conscious power. 
All stood impatient through the morning hour, 
Till from the throat of every shotted gun 
The smoke of hell obscured the blazing sun; 
Then silence deep, and every soldier knew 
The charge was near, and tight his buckle drew 
Lo! from their midst a stern command, and then 
The quick advance of twenty thousand men; 
A solid line of veterans clad in gray 
With iron nerves and earnest for the fray. 

In thought a new-born nation rose to sight. 

With " stars and bars " unfurled in glorious light. 

On, on they came, nor faltered in their tread, 

Each man a hero — giants at their head. 

We stood amazed at courage so sublime. 

No braver record on the page of time. 

With bristling bayonets glistening in the sun. 
The stubborn ranks, inspired by victories won. 
Pressed grimly on, unmindful of the storm 
Of shot and shell that felled full many a form; 
The maddened roar of angry cannon massed 
Rocked the red field as if an earthquake passed. 



76 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

Still on they came; the gaps they quickly close; 
" Now steady men ! " and from our ranks there rose 
A mighty cry, and thick the leaden hail 
Fell on the wavering lines. " See ! how they quail ! " 
" Strike ! strike ! for freedom and your native land ! " 
And bayonets clashed in conflicts hand to hand. 
Oh, fierce the struggle; but they break! they fly! 
And God to freedom gives the victory. 

The Benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Dr. Hubbell; the 
Band played the " Star Spangled Banner," and the great meeting 
passed into history. 

From the time that the Commission for the Celebration of the 
Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Getty sbm-g opened its office 
in May, 1912, until the end of June, 1913, 12,528 applications for 
transportation to Gettysburg were received by it from veterans 
in the State of New York. Several hundreds of these applicants 
finally declined to attend the celebration for various reasons. 

There were 10,691 transportation orders issued to veterans of 
which 2,574 were returned unused, for reasons of declination, dis- 
ability, and in some cases death. 

For purposes of verification, index cards were used by the Com- 
mission and constant comparisons made of applications as they were 
received. Every transportation order was duly nvmibered, and on 
the stubs of the books containing the transportation certificates, the 
contents of the application were written. The railroads furnished 
rates from all points of the State to Gettysburg and return, and 
gave ample time for excursions to outside points. Many veterans 
took advantage of this privilege. 

A summary of the statements shows that fourteen railroads 
exchanged for transportation orders, from 310 stations, 8,117 tickets. 
Of these, 51 whole tickets and 16 portions of tickets were forwarded 
to the office of this Commission " unused " by their holders, and the 
redemption values of same were deducted from the bills of the 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 77 

railroad companies issuing them. Tliere were twenty-five refunds 
made to veterans who paid their own fares to Gettysburg, and 
return, to attend the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration. 

The sum total of the appropriations for the Fiftieth Anniversary 
Celebration of the Battle of Gettysburg was $165,000. There was 
disbursed by this Commission on account of the celebration 
$124,224.25. This left an unexpended balance in the State Treasury 
of $40,775.75. 

STATE OFFICERS: 1913 

Honorable William Sulzer, Governor. 
Honorable Martin H. Glynn, Lieut.-Governor. 
Honorable Mitchell Ma}% Secretary of State. 
Honorable William Sohmer, Comptroller. 
Honorable Thomas Carmody, Attorney-General. 
Honorable John J. Kennedj', Treasurer. 
Honorable John A. Bensel, Engineer. 



THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 

HORATIO C. KING, L.L. D. 

DURING the early part of the great Civil War, Henry Ward 
Beecher was in Europe for a much needed rest. At a 
gathering held in London he was chaffed somewhat by 
a pro-Confederate Englishman with the statement that " the 
Northern troops were not successful in overcoming their Southern 
brethren." Mr. Beecher, a little nettled, replied, "No, but 
you see we are not fighting foreign troops; we are fighting 
Americans." Had our contest been against a foreign foe, there 
is little doubt that the failure of Lee at Gettysburg would have 
resulted in peace. Twice Lee had left Virginia, where he had 
the advantage of a favoring people, and undertook an aggressive 
movement at the battle of Antietam, Maryland, and at the Pennsyl- 
vania village, where a like advantage fell to the Union troops. Both 
engagements resulted in great losses, and Lee returned to his own 
soil much humiliated and disheartened. After the second retreat, 
it is known that the most important of the Southern leaders, both 
military and civil, felt that the tide had turned and they lost hope 
of foreign recognition. But the South had been keyed up to the 
determination " to die in the last ditch "; and so struggling on fiercely 
until " fought to a frazzle " the brilliant Army of Northern Virginia 
surrendered at Appomattox. It was nearlj^ two years of desperate 
conflict after Gettysburg, but it was worth it to bring to the South 
and the North the unqualified blessing of universal freedom. 

The victory of the Confederates at Chancellorsville led Lee to 
make a second movement North of the Potomac. On June 3, 1863, 
he began his march. His army was about eighty thousand strong, of 
which over sixty-eight thousand were veteran infantry, enthused with 
their latest success. Hooker had in his conmiand about eighty 
thousand men also. His desire to make another attack on Lee in 
Virginia was overruled at the Capital, which required him to cover 
Washington and Harper's Ferry. He denounced the holding of 

[78] 




THE GENERAL GREENE MONUMENT NEAR OBSERVATORY, GULP'S HILL 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 



79 



Harper's Ferry and asked to be relieved. This was gi-anted. ^Mien 
he transferred the army to General Meade, the Union forces 
numbered about one hundred and five thousand. Meade retained all 
of Hooker's staff. This was only about five days before the collision 
which both sides knew was imminent. 

The meandering of the Confederates in the Cumberland Valley, 
in an effort to capture Harrisburg and threaten Philadelphia, need 
simply be referred to here. Harrisburg escaped by the necessity of 
Ewell's sudden recall to the main army in the threatened struggle 
at Gettysburg. JVIeade's troops were also much scattered, the Sixth 
Corps being at Manchester some thirty miles away. Meade's plan was 
to bring on the battle at Pipe Creek, which was much nearer Wash- 
ington, and would give him the opportunity, if defeated, to fall back 
upon that well fortified city. Lee had selected Cashtown, northwest 
of Gettysburg, as the battle ground. Thus both generals were dis- 
appointed. On the 30th of June, Buford was ordered to occupy 
Gettysburg, which he did, Pettigi-ew's Confederate Brigade leaving 
it on his approach. The same day Meade issued orders to Reynolds, 
conmianding the First Corps, to advance on the following morning, 
and to the remaining troops to concentrate in the same direction. 
Lee, on the 29th, had directed his troops to assemble near Cashtown. 
Heth's Division of A. P. Hill's Corps arrived first, and on the 
30th Pettigrew's Brigade was ordered to Gettysburg for a supply 
of much needed shoes. His troops were almost entering the town 
with their large wagon train when Buford's presence was reported. 
Pettigrew fell back half way to Cashtown and notified A. P. Hill. 
His force was too small to attack Buford, who had the advantage of 
a good position. General Hill correctly surmised that the Union 
cavalry was an advance guard and could be easily beaten. It was 
most unfortunate for Lee that he had permitted J. E. B. Stuart 
to take the cavalry away on a futile excursion and thus left his army 
without its important eyes — the cavalry. On July 1st Heth was 
ordered to move to Gettysburg — A. P. Hill's Second Division and 



80 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

other troops to follow. The scattered divisions of Ewell's Corps 
returned towards Cashtown and reached the battlefield half a day 
late. Couch, a Union commander, who was at Harrisburg, followed 
the retiring Ewell and at Carlisle saved the destruction of that town 
by J. E. B. Stuart. This wise scheme served to hold the Confederate 
cavalry in check. 

Oak Hill and Seminary Ridge (because of its Lutheran seminary) 
became the line of battle on the first day, and thereafter was occupied 
by the Confederate forces. Buford was aware of the presence of 
Confederate infantry and that a large portion of it was about to 
concentrate at Gettysburg. He had thirty-five hundred mounted 
men. These he arranged in the form of an arc of a circle, from west 
to northeast of the town, and pushed his scouts far ahead to recon- 
noitre. He sent word to Meade and Reynolds, and awaited daylight 
of Jul}' 1st for further operations. Gamble's Brigade was on his 
left and Devin's Brigade on the right. At six o'clock in the morning 
the scouts reported Heth's Division as rapidly advancing. At eight 
o'clock Heth commenced his attack and was met by a galling fire 
which stopped the assailants. Fighting dismounted, the men of 
the Union cavalry were thought to be infantry. Heth was ordered 
by A. P. Hill not to press the enemy too closely until other troops 
came up. Archer and Davis did the Confederate fighting. Buford 
watched the struggle, prepared to fall back, if necessary, to Cemetery 
Hill, a strong defensive position, about twenty-eight hundred yards 
distant. His mind was greatly relieved when the First Corps of 
the Union army came upon the field and General Reynolds took 
command. Wadsworth's Division was at the head of the column. 
Rowley's and Robinson's Divisions marched half an hour later, but 
with General Doubleday were soon in readiness. Reynolds' trained 
military eye accepted Cemetery Hill as a splendid defensive line, but 
he decided that Seminary Ridge should be the place for the immediate 
contest. He directed Wadsworth to the support of Gamble's Cavalry, 
and sent directions to the remainder of the First Corps and to Howard 
with the Eleventh Corps to push on with all possible speed. The 



I 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 81 

need of holding the Confederate troops until the Union troops came 
up was the pressing demand, and better fighting was never seen in 
the Army of the Potomac. To the great misfortune of the Federal 
troops, at 10:15 A. M. Reynolds was instantly killed. The conunand 
then devolved upon General Doubleday, until the arrival of Howard, 
who, by senioritj% took charge of the fighting field. Wadsworth had 
two brigades. Cutler's and the Iron Brigade, under Meredith. The 
latter made a dash into the woods, near Willoughby Run, and cap- 
tured Archer's Brigade and one thousand prisoners, including Archer 
himself. Cutler was fighting hard at the right of the line. He was 
obliged to abandon his first line to the Confederate Davis, some 
three hundred yards, and find shelter in the thick woods on the ridge, 
near the Seminary. The One Hundred and Forty-seventh New 
York was almost surrounded, the Eighty-fourth New York (Four- 
teenth Brooklyn Militia) and the Ninety-fifth New York were 
isolated; and Hall's Battery could not be withdrawn without a sacri- 
fice. Doubleday went to redeem this misfortune. The Sixth Wis- 
consin, Eighty-fourth New York and Ninety-fifth New York rushed 
to attack Davis's Brigade. The Confederates were driven back into 
the railroad cut and two regiments captured. The One Hundred 
and Forty-seventh New York was freed and the Confederates driven 
back towards Willoughby Run. 

It was now about eleven o'clock. Davis and Archer had failed 
losing more than half of their effective forces. Heth waited to bring 
up the brigades of Pettigrew and Brockenough, and Doubleday 
availed himself of this time to place Meredith in his former position 
east of the stream, at the edge of INIcPherson's Woods; Cutler to 
his former position, and a mounted battery to take the place of the 
division battery. At half past eleven Doubleday received the brigades 
of Stone and Biddle; they added about five thousand men to his 
forces and were quickly posted on either side of the woods occupied 
by Meredith. Pettigrew attacked Stone's famous " Bucktails " and 
these latter fought with intrepid valor and determination to stay. 



82 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

General Howard had ridden hastily forward to the scene of 
action, where he was told of the death of Reynolds, and took com- 
mand. He sent orders, at once, to Sickles' Third Corps to hurry 
up. Urgent orders were despatched to the division commanders of 
the Eleventh Corps. At a quarter to one, Schurz entered Gettys- 
burg, and as senior officer assumed command of the Eleventh Corps. 
Schimmelfennig, commanding Schurz' Division, and Barlow were 
directed to the right of Doubleday; Steinwehr's Division, with its 
artillery, being left on Cemetery Hill. Rode's Confederate Division 
moving on Oak Hill, impeded unsuccessfully by Devin's cavalry, 
came up and were placed on the Hill. It was now about two o'clock. 
O'Neal's Brigade, of Rode's Division, was in the centre. Dole's 
line extended to the left. Iverson, Ramseur and Daniels were also 
on the left. Their five batteries enabled the Confederates to con- 
centrate a heavy fire of guns on the Federals. The guns of Ewell's 
Corps raked Doubleday's lines. It was half past two, A. P. Hill 
determined to renew the fight with Heth's soldiers, who had suffered 
so severely but a short time before, with Pender in support. Pender 
deployed to connect with Heth. Iverson, Ramseur and Daniel pre- 
pared to attack Cutler. Doubleday called for his reserves and sent 
them to strengthen the line on Cutler's right. Baxter advanced, and 
meeting O'Neal's Confederate Brigade drove it back with great loss 
and confusion. Then Iverson attacked. The Union fire nearly 
destroyed his brigade; a thousand prisoners were taken, or about 
two-thirds of the brigade. The Federal troops had been generally 
successful up to this time. 

But the Confederate force was largely reinforced and was superior 
in nmiabers to the Federals. They arranged now for concentrated 
action. Early's Division had arrived and was advantageously posted. 
Hays, Hoke and Gordon were at the front and Smith's Brigade 
was held in reserve. After a severe struggle, the Federals feeling 
that they were about to be surrounded by Dole and Early yielded 
ground and formed again after a retreat of five hundred yards. 




I- i 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 83 

Schimmelfennig's Division was almost broken. Howard's delay in 
ordering a general retirement would have saved much of the confu- 
sion and loss which followed. 

By half past three o'clock the two divisions of the Eleventh Corps^ 
were driven back. The First Corps waited impatiently for orders. 
Doubleday had only Devin's Cavalry as a relief — wholly insuffi- 
cent reinforcements. A renewed attack by the Confederates was 
made and gallantly resisted, but it was evident that the Federal 
force was much inferior to the Confederates in the troops engaged. 
Doubleday finally withdrew through Gettysburg, resisting the 
advance of the Confederates as he retired, but abandoned the town 
as untenable. The Confederates came in and took large numbers of 
prisoners. The rest of the Eleventh Corps fell back to Cemetery 
Hill. In this preliminary engagement the Federals had sixteen 
thousand and the Confederate forces at least twenty-six thousand 
men. The result was not without glory to the Union side and it 
secured for the Federal Army one of the best defensive grounds 
that could be found for the terrible conflict which was to be continued 
the next two days. The rest of the Union Army was fast marching 
to Gettysburg. Pipe Creek was abandoned and every effort made 
to push the forces to Cemetery Hill. Meade sent Hancock to 
represent him in advance. The Confederates did not deem it wise 
or prudent to follow up their success. Gordon, in his " Last Days 
of the Confederacy," laments that he was not permitted to make the 
attempt, feeling sure of its success, but he would have found there 
strong positions and forces which he could not dislodge. Lee came 
on the ground before five o'clock and declined to continue the con- 
test that day. 

By nine o'clock next morning, all the Union forces were on 
Cemetery Ridge, save the fifteen thousand men of the Sixth Corps, 
which had a march of thirty miles to make — arriving in the after- 
noon. Cemetery Hill (so named from the very old cemetery there) 
and its ridge extending to Little and Big Round Tops, was accepted 



84 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

as the line of battle and so occupied, save by the Third Corps, which 
took a post several hundred yards in advance of the regular line of 
formation. The discussion of Sickles' seeming disobedience of orders 
has been general and severe. It is not proj^osed to revive the dis- 
cussion here, but simply to insert an extract from a letter. General 
Longstreet had been invited to attend the unveiling of the monmnent 
of General Slocum at Gettj^sburg. Under date of September 19, 
1902, he sent his regrets to Sickles, because of lameness, and added, 
among other things, " I believe that it is now conceded that the 
advanced position at the Peach Orchard taken by your Corps and 
under your orders saved that battle to the Union cause." To the writer 
of this he stated that it was his desire to flank the Federal Army out 
of their strong defensive position, but the Third Corps made that 
impossible. He represented that the battle of Gettysburg should 
have ended and was practically closed the second day, with the battles 
of the left and right. The slaughter of the 3rd of July was an 
unnecessary ad j unct. 

A council of war held at Meade's headquarters decided, on the 
afternoon of July 2nd, not to take a new position, but stay at Gettys- 
burg and fight it out. 

Second Day 

Contrary to expectations, the Confederates did not renew their 
attack in the early morning. Meade contemplated an advance on 
the right himself, but abandoned it. It was after three o'clock before 
an enforced movement was begun by the enemy. Meade had visited 
Sickles' line and decided that it was too late to make a change. 
General Hood opened the struggle. His first aim was the capture 
of the Little Round Top and the flanking of the Union left. De 
Trobriand and Ward opposed him, with Smith's and Winslow's 
Batteries to aid. They were weaker, but had the advantage of excel- 
lent defensive ground. Law was assigned to this work, with Texas 
and Alabama veterans. Ward had only the Fourth Maine there in 
the valley where the Plum Run flows. This was reinforced by the 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 85 

Fortieth New York and the Sixth New Jersey, from Burling's 
Brigade. They resisted the attack furiously but lost ground. But 
Anderson was repulsed and severely wounded. Yet the Confederates 
pressed on and climbed the hill. Both sides realized that Little 
Round Top commanded the whole battlefield and that its occupation 
was a vital necessity. About four o'clock General Warren had 
climbed it and soon discovered a large force of Confederates ascend- 
ing the rocky and difficult obstruction. He sent to General Barnes, 
of the Fifth Corps, who assigned Vincent's Brigade to cover the 
threatened front. "VVliile the Confederates scaled the hill on the south 
side, the Federals climbed it on the other and success was only a 
question of a few minutes. The Signal Corps continued to wave 
their flags as if the Union forces were still there. Colonel O'Rorke, 
with the 140th N. Y. charged down the western slope. Hazlett's 
Battery, by tremendous efforts of horses and men, also came. Weed's 
Brigade followed and formed to the right of Vincent's. Thus pro- 
tected. Little Round Top was safe to the Federals and was held until 
the battle closed. In this defense. Chamberlain and Rice rendered 
important services. Vincent, Weed, O'Rorke and Hazlett were 
killed. 

The battle on the left continued with great fury. The Peach 
Orchard, the Loop, the Devil's Den and the ^Vlieat Field were scenes 
of the severest fighting and greatest losses. General Sickles was 
struck by a piece of shell, about half past six, and removed from the 
field and his leg was amputated. General Birney took command 
of the Third Corps. The Devil's Den was taken by the Confederates, 
the sharpshooters from which were exceedingly troublesome. The 
charges and countercharges indicated the firm determination of both 
sides to conquer, and when the sun went down that night one cannot 
appreciate the disappointment of the Confederates, who saw success 
almost in sight eclipsed by the darkness. 

Simultaneously with Longstreet's movement, General Ewell was 
to attack Gulp's Hill, the Union right, the forces of which had been 



86 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

greatly weakened by the transfer of the Twelfth Corps to meet the 
effort to destroj' Sickles. The attack was opened at dusk, or about 
seven o'clock. The dense woods and the temporary earthworks 
greatly strengthened the defense. Johnson's Division (the old 
" Stonewall " Jackson Division) moved through the gorges of Rock 
Creek. The Third Brigade, of Geary's Division, Slocum's Corps, 
under General Greene, alone held the hill. (Among the troops here 
of the Twelfth Corps was the 102nd N. Y., much reduced in numbers, 
which was under the command of Colonel Lewis R. Stegman, of the 
New York Monuments Commission. Colonel Clinton Beckwith, 
another member of the Commission, was also in the battle.) The 
Confederates were firmly met and repulsed on Greene's front, but 
occupied a portion of the abandoned Federal works. Greene was 
reinforced by Schurz and by a few decimated regiments of Wads- 
worth's Division. Early and Rodes were part of the Confederate 
forces in an attack on Cemetery Hill at the same hour. Two brigades 
were in the attack. For two hours they struggled fiercely. Hancock 
sent Carroll's Brigade to Howard as relief. The assailants were 
compelled to fall back. The night attack on the right had failed. 

The Third Day 
By next morning the Twelfth Corps had returned to the right, and 
after seven hours' struggle the Union works were recovered and the 
Confederates driven from that part of the field. After the defeat on 
Gulp's Hill, the Federals waited in anxious expectancy some further 
developments. The Confederates occupied the line held the second 
day by the Third Union Corps. Colonel Alexander placed the six 
batteries of Longstreet's Corps on the Emmitsburg Road, stretching 
northward along Seminary Ridge to Oak Hill. Back of these were 
the Washington Artillery, with Dearing's and Cabell's batallions. 
Their line is thus noted because of the charge which was made in 
the afternoon and in which they played an important part. In spite 
of Longstreet's opposition, Lee had decided to make a direct attack 
on the Union centre, and, if possible, get in its rear and thereby compel 




1 






THE GENERAL WEBB MONUMENT 

On Hancock avenue, opposite the Angle 



BATTLE OP^ GETTYSBURG 87 

its retirement or surrender. Pickett's Division, which had marched 
from Chambersburg the day before, was to form a sahent feature 
of this bold attempt. 

Pickett's Virginia Division was to be the principal force, and 
was supported by six other brigades of A. P. Hill's Corps. Two shots 
from the Washington Artillery was the warning. The signal was 
obeyed by one hundred and thirty pieces of Confederate cannon. 
It was now one o'clock. The Union artillery, under General Hunt, 
Chief of Artillery, replied with eighty pieces, arranged along Cem- 
etery Ridge, a large number of batteries being held in reserve for 
future action. For about two hours pandemonium reigned. At 
length the Federal lines was silenced, apparently, and as the Con- 
federates thought for lack of ammunition. Pickett called upon Long- 
street for orders to move, which the latter refused to give. Pickett 
replied that he would put his forces in motion, and Longstreet simply 
nodded affirmatively. The space to be covered from the Confederate 
position to the clump of trees at the Union front was about a mile. 
The advance of this body of brave men was noted with admiration 
by both sides. Despite the intense heat, they moved along with the 
evenness and dignity of a dress parade. The number of men in this 
immortal march was about sixteen thousand. Pickett's Division had 
four thousand five hundred and the rest came from the forces of 
Pettigrew, Trimble and Wilcox. Garnett, Kemper and Armistead 
commanded Pickett's Brigades. The LTnion artillery was opened 
on this column with heavy slaughter. The great gaps were quickly 
closed and the troops moved bravely on. At one point, about half 
way over, they actually halted and made a realignment. 

Of this coolness an amusing story is told. The Northern rabbit 
is denominated by the Southern negroes as Molly-cotton-tails, and 
are the most timid of animals. Crossing the field one was disturbed 
in his warren and immediately elevating his tail made a bee line to 
the rear. One of the officers pointed his sword and laughingly 
shouted " Go it old Molly-cotton-tail, I'd be with you, if I dared." 



88 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

On the Union side every movement was watched with anxiety. 
Among the troops upon whom the charge was to fall was Gibbon's 
and Hays's Divisions, of Hancock's Corps. Gibbon's Division opened 
a terrible fire of musketry on Pickett's men. The Confederates rushed 
towards them, but were met by a charge on their flank by Stannard's 
Vermont Brigade, which contributed greatly to their demoralization. 
With desperate courage, the troops pressed forward and attacked 
the brigades of Webb, Hall and Harrow. Reserves pouring in, the 
Confederates were driven back. Cushing's U. S. Battery had its 
guns near the Angle and he was killed. The battery of Captain 
Andrew Cowan was also near the Angle and fired canister with 
deadly effect. 

There was much mingling and confusion at the Angle. Armistead 
strove to seize Cushing's Battery there and fell mortally wounded. 
Garnett had been killed earlier and Kemper badly wounded. Two 
thousand prisoners and fifteen flags were taken by the Federal 
forces, and the total Confederate losses are placed at thirty-five 
hundred, exclusive of the prisoners. The greatest charge in modern 
history had been made and failed, and it practically ended the great 
battle of Gettysburg. 

So much attention has been given to the principal contest that 
reference is but seldom made to the remarkable cavalry engagement 
between General David McM. Gregg, of the Union Army, and the 
famous General J. E. B. Stuart, of the Confederate Army. Stuart, 
who had been kept from the main field, was directed to get around 
the Federal right and rear, in order to strike in assistance of Pickett's 
charge. He was met by General Gregg about three miles east of 
Gettysburg, near Bonaughton. This brilliant conflict recalls the 
names of Irvin Gregg, Custer and Mcintosh, on the Union side, and 
Fitzhugh Lee, Chambliss, Hampton (who was severely wounded) 
and Jenkins, on the Confederate side. One of the prime incidents 
of this conflict was the exploit of Captain Charles E. Miller, com- 
manding a Pennsylvania squadron, who was one of the Pennsylvania 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 89 

Commissioners for the fiftieth anniversary celebration. He was 
ordered to a certain position and to hold it at all hazards. A Con- 
federate charge which was driving the Union forces approached him. 
Disregarding his orders he mounted his men and charged against 
their flank, compelling their retreat. For this " disobedience of 
orders " he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

Success rested with the Union side. The Union Cavalry forces 
lost seven hundred and thirty-six men, including one hundred and 
twelve killed, two hundred and eighty-nine wounded and three hun- 
dred and sixty-five taken prisoners. 

In the compilation of this account Comte De Paris' exhaustive 
history has been mainly relied upon. Its incompleteness is manifest, 
but the intention has been to give as briefly as possible the principal 
features of what Americans can do in a great contest. It was so 
decisive as to preclude further efforts to meet the Union troops on 
Northern soil, and in view of later events, shows that the Civil War 
should have ended at Gettysburg. 



NEW YORK COMMISSION 

FOR THE 

BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG AND CHATTANOOGA 

23 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 

Maj.-Gen. DANIEL E. SICKLES, U. S. A., A. J. ZABRISKIE, 

Chairman Engineer and Secretary 

CELEBRATION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF 
THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 

CIRCULAR NO. 1 

June 12, 1012. 

By Chapter 227 of the Laws of New York 1912, this Commission was appointed 
to plan and conduct a public celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle 
of Gettysburg, to be held July 1, 2, 3 and 4, 1913, on the battlefield, and was also 
given power to enter into negotiations and co-operate with the State of Pennsylvania 
in relation to such celebration. The Commission is authorized to arrange for the 
transportation of 25,000 Union veterans of the War of the Rebellion, residing in 
this State, from points within the State to and from Gettysburg, Pa. 

As a large number of the veterans of the State are members of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, and in view of the familiarity and personal touch of this 
organization with its membership, which would prove of much value in the dis- 
semination of information, the preparation and transmission of applications for 
transportation, and the distribution of the transportation orders, it has been decided 
by the Commission to avail itself of the facilities afforded by this state-wide organi- 
zation in the Department of New York in so far as the members of the various 
posts are concerned. 

Those veterans who are not members of any Grand Army Post in the Depart- 
ment of New York will communicate with and apply by letter addressed to this 
Commission, or personally at this office. 

Application blanks are in course of preparation and will be forwarded to each 
Post Adjutant for the use of the members of the Post. Other veterans will be 
furnished direct by this Commission in response to their request. 

To be eligible for free transportation the veteran must be an honorably dis- 
charged soldier, sailor or marine from the army, navy or marine corps of the 
United States in the War of the Rebellion, and now a resident of the State of 
New York. 

It is proposed to unite in a camp upon a section of the battlefield New York's 
representation at the celebration, grouped by counties, to enable inquirers to 
readily locate those for whom they may be seeking. For this and other reasons 
apparent upon considering the conditions obtaining, where large numbers are 
assembled and accommodated under canvas, the Commission desires that the veterans 
from each county assemble as far as practicable and entrain at some conveniently 
central point in the county, or, if preferred, at two or three points where there are 

[90] 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 91 

large numbers of veterans and where, if the aggregate of passengers be sufficient, 
special train service could be arranged by the local officers. 

Section 1 of Chapter 141 of the Laws of 1912, provided that 
" Every honorably discharged soldier, sailor or marine from the army or navy 
of the United States in the late Civil War holding a position or employment in the 
civil service of the state or of any city, county, town or village therein, shall be 
entitled to a leave of absence with full pay for a term beginning July 1, 1913, 
and ending July 7, 1913, in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle 
of Gettysburg." 

Touching the question of suitable quarters and necessary subsistence for 
visiting veterans while at Gettysburg during the occasion of the celebration, the 
Secretary of War was authorized and directed by Senate Concurrent Resolution 
No. 19, sixty-second Congress, second session: 

1. To cause to be made such surveys, measurements and estimates as will be 
necessary in regard to providing for a sufficient supply of good water for the 
use of honorably discharged veterans of the Civil War who shall attend the cele- 
bration. 

2. To investigate as to the necessary and proper provision required to be made 
for sewerage, sanitation, hospital and policing during such celebration. 

3. To estimate upon tents, camp equipment, supplies and rations that in his 
judgment will be necessary to properly accommodate and provide for the honorably 
discharged veterans of the Civil War who shall attend such commemoration * * *. 

4. To estimate the quantitj' of camp equipment such as tents, bedding, and 
cooking outfits necessary to accommodate the honorably discharged veterans of 
the Civil War attending, together with the cost per unit of a suitable ration to be 
issued, and as to the best method of providing and issuing such rations * * *. 

5. To prepare a plan of camp arrangement suitable to the occasion. In ac- 
cordance with these directions, the War Department has caused to be prepared plans, 
surveys and estimates covering the several features required to be investigated. 
The data are embodied in the reports of the Quartermaster General and Commissary 
General, which the Secretary of War transmitted for the information of Congress 
under date of May 10, 1912. 

This Commission anticipates that the National Government will arrange to 
furnish free of expense to our visiting veterans the necessary quarters, under 
canvas, and suitable rations for the period contemplated by the Senate Resolution 
above outlined. 

In your correspondence with this Commission do not fail, when giving your 
address, to include the name of the county in which you reside. This request likewise 
applies to the G. A. R. officers when giving the addresses of Post Headquarters. 
This information will be of much assistance to our filing clerks in assorting the 
correspondence at this office. 

Additional copies of this circular will be mailed on receipt of application to 
that effect from officers of the Grand Armj' Posts or other interested veterans. 

By order of Major-General D. E. Sickles, U. S. A., Chairman. 

A. J. ZABRISKIE, 
Engineer and Secretary. 



CIRCULAR NO. 2 

COMMISSIONERS 

Maj.-Gen'I DANIEL E. SICKLES. U. S. A. Col. CLINTON BECKWITH 

Bvt. BriS-Genl ANSON G. McCOOK Bvt. Col. HORATIO C. KING 

Col. LEWIS R. STEGMAN Bvt. Major THOMAS W. BRADLEY 
Brlg.-Gen'l HENRY D. HAMILTON, Adjt.-Gen'I S. N. Y. 

Brevet Colonel HORATIO C. KING A. J. ZABRISKIE 

Chairman Engineer and Secretary 



NEW YORK COMMISSION 

FOR THE 

BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG AND CHATTANOOGA. 

APPOINTED A COMMISSION TO PLAN AND CONDUCT A PUBLIC 
CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF 
GETTYSBURG, JULY, 1, 2. 3, 4, 1913 

1 EAST 9TH STREET NEW YORK CITY 

Telephone, 92 Gramercy 

Dear Sir and Comrade: 

The National Congress has made provision for the accommodation of only 
40,000 veterans at Gettysburg, and no provision is made for their families. It 
was found by the Railroad Companies and the War Department, that it would 
be impossible to provide transportation and accommodations for a greater number. 
Although the Legislature of our State expressed its willingness to send 25,000 
veterans if accommodations could be provided, the Pennsylvania Commission which 
has primary charge of the celebration, will take under consideration the quota 
which may be allotted to each State, but a decision cannot be reached until the 
meeting of the entire Commission on January 23, 1913. It is estimated that 
New York's quota will not exceed 5,000. The application is therefore returned 
for additional information should it be decided that preference will be given to 
those who participated in the battle, and if there be less than 5,000, then to those 
whose terms of service antedated and followed that engagement. 

Your application is herewith returned and your attention is invited to section 

of this communication. A compliance therewith is necessary to a 

proper consideration of your application. Please return this with your reply. 

Applications for Members of the G. A. R. 
Department of New York. 

1. Adjutant should fill in upper left hand column only. 

2. Application should be fully dated. 

3. Name of applicant should be given in full, and should correspond with 

that of the signature. 

[92] 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 93 

4. Give the nearest important railroad station and the name of the railroad. 

5. Give day, month and year of original enlistment. 

•5. Give the company and regiment and State to which it belonged and also 
the State in which you originally enlisted, together with the arm of the service 
and your rank. If light or heavy artillery, state which. 

7. Give the company and regiment and State to which it belonged and also 
the State from which you were finally discharged, together with the arm of the 
service and your rank. If light or heavy artillery, state which. 

8. Give day, month and year of final discharge. 
0. Give your place of residence. 

10. Give the number of the Post of which you are a member. 

11. Applicant must sign the application and his address in full should be 
given. If applicant signs by mark, the signature and address of one witness must 
be given. 

12. The name of the applicant, corresponding with that of the signature, should 
be written in the certificate of identification. 

13. Post commander should fill in the number of years he has known applicant. 
The application must then be certified by the Post Commander in his own hand- 
writing, and attested, with the date, by the Adjutant of the Post. If the Com- 
mander is the applicant, the application should be certified by the Senior Vice- 
Commander. 

14. State whether or not you were connected with a regiment that was actually 
in the Battle of Gettysburg. (See back of application.) 

15. State whether or not you were with that regiment in that battle. (See back 
of application.) 

Applications for Non-Members op the G. A. R. 
Department of New York. 

A. Do not fill in the columns at the top of the application. 

B. Application should be fully dated. 

C. Name of applicant should be given in full, and should correspond with that 
of the signature. 

D. Give the nearest important railroad station and the name of the railroad. 

E. Give day, month and year of original enlistment. 

F. Give the company and regiment and State to which it belonged and also 
the State in which you originally enlisted, together with the arm of the service 
and your rank. If light or heavy artillery, state which. 

G. Give the Company and regiment and State to which it belonged and also the 
State from which you were finally discharged, together with the arm of the service 
and your rank. If light or heavy artillery, state which. 

H. Give day, month and year of final discharge. 
I. Give your place of residence. 

J. Applicant must sign the application and his address in full should be given. 
The signature of one witness and his address should also be given. 



94 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

K. The name of the applicant, corresponding with that of the signature, should 
be written in the certificate of identification. 

L. Applicant's pension certificate number should be given. The application 
must then be certified by either the Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public 
or President of a dulj' organized New York State Civil War Veteran Association 
of which the applicant is a member, inserting the number of years he has known 
the applicant, and giving his official title, address and the date of such certification. 
M. State whether or not you were connected with a regiment that was actually 
in the Battle of Gettysburg. (See back of application.) 

N. State whether or not you were with that regiment in that battle. (See back 
of application.) 

Fraternally yours, 

HORATIO C. KING, 

Chairman. 



CIRCULAR NO. 3 

COMMISSIONERS 

Major-Cen'I DANIEL E. SICKLES, U. S. A. Col. CLINTON BECKWITH 

Bvt. Brig.-Gen'I ANSON G. McCOOK b«. Col. HORATIO C. KING 

Col. LEWIS R. STEGMAN B^, Maior THOMAS W. BRADLEY 
Brig.-Gen'I HENRY D. HAMILTON, Adj.-Gen'l S. N. Y. 

Brevet Colonel HORATIO C. KING. a. J. ZABRISKIE, 

Chairman Engineer and Secretary 



NEW YORK COMMISSION 

FOR THE 

BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG AND CHATTANOOGA. 

APPOINTED A COMMISSION TO PLAN AND CONDUCT A PUBLIC 
CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF 
GETTYSBURG, JULY I, 2. 3, 4, 1913 

1 EAST 9TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY 

Telephone, 92 Gramercy 

Special Notice. 
Dear Sir and Commander: 

The National Committee will meet in Philadelphia on January 23, when each 
State Chairman will be required to report at that meeting as accurate an estimate 
as possible of the probable attendance from each State. Please, therefore, if 
not already sent, forward your applications before January 21, and do not await 
the time limit named in the original circular. The maximum number from all 
States combined that can be transported and provided for has been fixed at 40,000, 
and the General Committee, it is expected, will designate the quota allowed for 
New York and all other States. 

If you have no time in which to secure and send in your applications, then 
please give as accurate an estimate as possible, of the number who will attend. 

Fraternally yours, 

HORATIO C. KING, 

Chairman. 
[95] 



CIRCULAR No. 4 
Commissioners 

Major-Gen'l DANIEL E. SICKLES, U. S. A. Col. CLINTON BECKWITH 

Bvt. Bri£.-Gen'l ANSON G. McCOOK Bvt. Col. HORATIO C. KING 

Col. LEWIS R. STEGMAN Bvt. Major THOMAS W. BRADLEY 

Brlg.-Genl HENRY D. HAMILTON, Adj.-Genl S. N. Y 

Brevet Colonel HORATIO C. KING, A. J. ZABRISKIE, 

Chairman Engineer and Secretary 

NEW YORK COMMISSION 

FOR THE 

BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG AND CHATTANOOGA 

APPOINTED A COMMISSION TO PLAN AND CONDUCT A PUBLIC 
CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF 
GETTYSBURG, JULY 1, 2, 3,4, 191J 

NO. 116 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK CITY 

Telephone, Beekman 2883 

Dear Sir and Comrade. — Answering your favor just received, I beg to call 
your attention to the marked sections of the following circular. 

Fraternally yours, 

HORATIO C. KING, 

Chairman. 

1. Congress has limited the attendance to 40,000 Union and Confederate 
veterans from all the States as the officials of the railroads entering Gettysburg 
have decided that they cannot provide transportation for a greater number. 

2. At a meeting of the General Commission having in charge the arrangements 
for the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration, held in Philadelphia, January 23-25, 
1913, the number of veterans allotted to the State of New York was 10,000. In 
view of this action the New Y'ork Commission at a meeting held January 27, 
1913, decided to grant a preference: 

(a) to surviving soldiers now residing in this State who served in regiments 

or other commands that participated in the Battle of Gettysburg. 

(b) to those veterans of the War of the Rebellion now residing in this 

State not connected as above, who had the longest term of service. 

3. No provision is made by law for the transportation of families of veterans, 
nor for shelter and subsistence for them by the Federal Government. 

4. Veterans will be quartered under canvas, eight to a tent, and provided 
with rations by companies practically as issued in the time of the Civil War. To 
each veteran will be given blankets, a tin plate, cup, knife and fork and two 
spoons, and he will take his meals at a table contiguous to the open air kitchen. 

5. There will be a general hospital for the sick and several infirmaries in 
the camp. 

[M] 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 97 

6. The camp is located about one-eighth of a mile north of the clump of trees 
known as " The High Water Mark." It is expected that the railroad trains will 
be run into this camp and arriving veterans will be detrained there. 

7. Veterans arriving as Posts or in special groups will be assigned to tents 
together; all others will be assigned to tents set apart for New York veterans. 

8. The passenger association of the trunk lines has announced that Gettysburg 
terminal lines will not park any cars. 

9. Public exercises to be announced later, will be held on each day from 
July 1 to 4, inclusive. 

10. The State of New York will hold special ceremonies in the National 
Cemetery near the New York State Monument, at which Rev. Newell Dwight 
Hillis, D.D., Pastor of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., will be the orator. 
The full program will be issued at a later date. 

11. Automobiles. For information regarding accommodations for automobile 
parties, address Col. Lewis E. Beitler, Secretary, Harrisburg, Pa. 

12. This Commission is informed that every available room in Gettysburg has 
already been engaged. Parties may be accommodated at Carlisle, Chambersburg, 
Hanover and other smaller towns which are distant about twenty miles from 
Gettysburg. 

13. All applications must be filed at the office of this Commission by April 1, 
1913. 

14. Transportation will be furnished by direct lines over which and from those 
stations where one-way tickets are regularly sold. Tickets will be good going 
June 25, to July 4, 1913, and to return so as to reach original starting point not 
later than July 15, 1913. Tickets will be good going and returning via same 
route only. 

If there are two or more routes from the same starting point the applicant 
may take his choice, provided the fare is the same as by the direct line or lines. 

15. Transportation orders will be issued in ample time. 

16. Although no definite action has been taken by the Pennsylvania Commis- 
sion, it is understood that the veterans will wear what they wish. It must not 
be forgotten, however, that the garb should be suitable for extremely warm 
weather. 

17. Round trip tickets can be purchased by the general public at special ex- 
cursion fares, which will be at the same rate as that paid by the State for the 
transportation of veterans, but shelter and subsistence cannot be provided for any 
but veterans and only to those presenting at Gettysburg Identification Cards which 
will be issued through the Pennsylvania Commission. 

18. Camp. The camp will be under the exclusive and absolute control of the 
U. S. Government and this Commission is without authority to make assignment 
of quarters. Requests for reservations should be forwarded direct to the Quarter- 
master's Department, U. S. A., Gettysburg, Pa. 

19. The State of New York provides transportation only to all vetearns. Union 
and Confederate, residing in this State, no matter where they enlisted, so far as 



98 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

they can be accommodated at Gettysburg. It is hoped that other States will show 
a like courtesy to New York veterans residing within their limits. 

20. If you are a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, make your ap- 
plication through your Post. 

21. This Commission does not issue transportation to any battlefield but Gettys- 
burg. 

22. Confederate veterans residing in New York State will please transmit their 
applications through General Henry T. Douglass, Commander U. C. V., 165 
Broadwa}', New York City. 

23. The Commission does not arrange for special trains. Posts or other or- 
ganizations must deal directly with the railroad agent. 

24. For price of round trip tickets apply to the ticket office at your point of 
departure. 

25. Transportation can be furnished by the Commission only by direct line and 
continuous route. For any modifications apply to your railroad agent. 

20. Application for railroad tickets must be made at the stations where such 
tickets are sold. Inquiry of the agent a week in advance will save much incon- 
venience and delay. 

27. The Secretary of the Pennsylvania Commission which has general charge 
of the celebration is Col. Lewis E. Beitler, Harrisburg, Pa. 

28. All applications received after April 1st (the time limit) will be held in 
abeyance until it is determined whether or not New York will be permitted to 
send more than 10,000 veterans. More than that number have already filed appli- 
cations, but it is anticipated a considerable proportion of these may not be able 
to attend because of feebleness or other causes. 



CIRCULAR NO. 5 
Commissioners 

Major-Gen'l DANIEL E. SICKLES. U. S. A Col. CLINTON BECKWITH 

Bvt. Brig.-Gen'l ANSON G. McCOOK Bvt. Col. HORATIO C. KING 

Col. LEWIS R. STEGMAN Bvt. Major THOMAS W. BRADLEY 
Brig.-Gen'l HENRY D. HAMILTON, Adj.-Cen'l S. N. Y. 

Brevet Colonel HORATIO C. KING, A. J. ZABRISKIE, 

Chairman Engineer and Secretary 



NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION 

FOR THE 

BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG AND CHATTANOOGA. 

APPOINTED A COMMISSION TO PLAN AND CONDUCT A PUBLIC 
CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSITY OF THE BATTLE OF 
GETTYSBURG, JULY 1, 2, i, 4, 1913 

ROOM 1015, 116 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK CITY 

Telephone, Beekman 2883 

May 1, 1913. 
To Comrades of G. A. R. Posts and Special Notice to All New York Veterans: 

Dear Comrades.^ — Up to date this Commission has received about 11,000 ap- 
plications. Of these, a little over 4,000 applicants were connected with regiments 
that participated in the battle of Gettysburg. 

Many applications returned for correction will increase this number if sent 
back by May 1st. Otherwise they may not receive any consideration. New appli- 
cations received later than May 1st will be considered only if there is accommo- 
dation for the applicants at Gettysburg. 

From many sources comes the assurance that a very considerable proportion of 
the applicants, because of physical disabilitj', will not be able to attend the 
celebration. In a single case the Post Commander informs us that out of sixty-nine 
applicants only thirty will go. 

This Commission is most anxious to provide transportation to every veteran 
in this State, Union and Confederate, who can go. It is therefore of the utmost 
importance that we may be informed as early as practicable of all deaths and of 
all who are incapacitated. The applicant should not wait until the last minute 
for transportation and then not use it. 

The transportation certificate is not transferable, and the use of such a cer- 
tificate by another is a misdemeanor and punishable by fine and imprisonment 
or both. 

The identification card which will be issued with the transportation certificate and 
executed when the ticket is obtained, will prevent the use of the certificate by any 
one except its lawful holder. 

[99] 



100 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

In justice to those who can go and may not be accommodated because some 
who are incapacitated do not decline, please notify their office at once or as soon 
as practicable if, for any reason, you are unable to attend the celebration. 

Post Commanders are respectfully urged to give this circular as wide publicity 
as possible through your local papers and otherwise. 

Fraternally yours, 

HORATIO C. KING, 

Chairman. 



CIRCULAR NO. 6 

Commissioners Executive Committee 

Col. CLINTON BECKWITH Col. CLINTON BECKWITH 

Col. LEWIS R. STEGMAN Brlg.-Gen'l H. D. HAMIX-TON 

B»t. Col. HORATIO C. KING Col. LEWIS R. STEGMAN. Chairman 

Brlg.-Gen'l HENRY D. HAMILTON, the Adj.-Cen'l A. J. ZABRISKIE, Engineer and Secretary 

NEW YORK MONUMENTS COMMISSION 

FOR THE 

BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG, CHATTANOOGA AND 

ANTIETAM 

ROOM 1015, 115 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK CITY 

June 2, 1913. 

Dear Comrade. — Your application for transportation to Gettysburg during the 
period of the celebration there on the days of July 1-4, 1913, duly received. The 
quota of the State of New York for transportation to the field has been limited 
by the Pennsylvania and United States authorities to 10,000, over which number 
we cannot go. We have at the present time on file 11,700 applications. The time 
limit fixed for applications was up on April 1, 1913. This Commission has en- 
deavored to be as generous as possible in the reception of applications since that 
time, but it has reached its limit. At this late date we cannot receive any further 
applications and the one which you have made is herewith returned to you. It is 
too late to be taken into consideration. Very sorry. 

Yours fraternally, 

LEWIS R. STEGMAN, 

Chairman. 

Important — Read Carefully Notice on Other Side. 
(Post Adjutant will fill out only this column.) 

File No 

Post No Order No 

Location Railroad 

County R. R. Station 



Application for Transportation to Gettysburg, Pa. 
50th Anniversary of the Battle, July 1, 2, 3, 4, 1913. 



,191. 



(Date) 
New York Commission, 1 East Ninth Street, New York: 

I, , hereby make application for transportation 

(Write clearly name in full) 

from on 

(Railroad line) 
to Gettysburg, Pa., and return, via direct line only, to attend the public cele- 
bration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg to take place on 
that battlefield on the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th days of July, 1913. 

[101] 



102 FII TIETII ANNIVERSARY 

I am an honorably discharged Union veteran of tlic War of the Rebellion, having 
enlisted 18<> , in 



(Give rank, company and command in Army, Navy or Marine Corps) 

and was honorably discharged from 

(Give rank, comjiany and command in Army, Navy or Marine Corps) 
at on the day of 1 8<> . 

I am a resident of in the State of New York; my post 

office address is given below. I am a member of G. A. R. Post No 

Department of New York. 

The number of my Pension Certificate is 

(Veteran himself must sign here') 

If signed by mark, one witness: Street and number 

City or town 

(Signature and address of witness to mark) 

County New York 

Ckhtifkate of Identification, 
To be signed by the Coiiunander and Adjutant of G. A. R. Post of which applicant 

is a member. 

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted witli 

(Name of applicant) 
the applicant; that he was honorably discharged from the command above mentioned, 
as appears in th(' descriptive list in the records of this Post; that he resides 

as above stati'd ; tliat I hav(^ known him for years and know him to 

be the |)erson named in said discharge, as appears in the records of the Post and 
in this upplicution. 



Post Commander. 

Attest: 



Post Adjutant. 
Dated 1013. 



Impohtant Notice — Read Carefully 

If the applicant cannot write plainly, he will request some one who writes 
legibly to fill in the blank spaces on this ajijilication, but he must sign this applica- 
tion ))ersonally. 

If he served in two or more commands he need only give those in which he 
(•nlisted and from which he received an honorable discharge, giving in each case 
the dates of his enlistment and discharge; also designating his rank, company and 
command in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps. 

This Commission desires that the veterans from each County assemble, as far 
as practicable, and entrain at some conveniently central point in the county, or, 
if preferred, at two or three points where there are a large number of veterans 
and where, if the aggregate of passengers be sufficient, special train service could 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 103 

be arranged by tbe officers of the Grand Army Post. It is therefore hoped that 
the applicant, before naming his selection of railroad station and railway line on 
this blank, will confer with his comrades with a view of securing harmony of 
action and a mutually satisfactory determination upon this important question. 

Notice must be promptly sent to the Commission of any change of address. 
If by reason of illness or from other causes the veteran, after filing his application 
for transportation, is unable to go, notice to that effect must be mailed without 
delay to the office of this Commission. 

Enclose a self-addressed postal card if applicant wishes the receipt of this 
application acknowledged by the Commission. 

This application will be filed, but action thereon is subject to an appropriation 
by the State providing the moneys required to meet the expenditure. 

No application will be received after May 1, li)13. 

Was your regiment in the battle of Gettysburg? 

Were you with the regiment in that battle.'' 

Important — Read Carefully Notice on Other Side. 

Location File No 

County Order No 

Railroad R. R. Station 



Application for Transportation to Gettysburg, Pa. 
50th Anniversary of the Battle, July I, 2, 3, 4, 1913. 



191. 



(Date) 
New York Commission, 1 East Ninth Street, New York: 

I> , hereby make application for transportation 

(Write clearly name in full) 

from on 

(Railroad line) 
to Gettysburg, Pa., and return, via direct line only, to attend the public cele- 
bration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg to take place on 
that battlefield on the 1st, 2d, 3d and Hh days of July, lf»13. 

I am an honorably discharged Union veteran of the War of the Rebellion, 

having enlisted 1 8(i , in 

(Give rank, companyand command in Army, 'Navy or Marine Corps) 

and was honorably discharged from 

(Give rank, company and command in Army, Navy or Marine Corps) 
on the day of ........ 180 . 

I am a resident of in the State of New York ; my post 

office address is given below. I am a member of G. A. R. Post No 

Department of New York. 

(Veteran himself must sign here) 

One witness : Street and number 

City or town 

(Signature and address of witness) 

County New York 



104 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

Certificate of Identification 

To be signed by either the Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, or 
President of a duly organized New York State Civil War Veteran Association of 
which the applicant is a member. 

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with 

(Name of applicant) 
the applicant ; that I have examined the official certificate of his honorable discharge 

from the command above mentioned ; or his pension certificate No ; that 

he resides as above stated ; that I have known him for years and know 

him to be the identical person named in said discharge or pension certificate, and 

in this application. 

Address 

(Signature) 
Dated 

(Official title) 
Important Notice — Read Carefully 

If the applicant cannot write plainly, he will request some one who writes 
legibly to fill in the blank spaces on this application, but he must sign this applica- 
tion personally. 

If he served in two or more commands he need only give those in which he 
enlisted and from which he received an honorable discharge, giving in each case 
the dates of his enlistment and discharge; also designating his rank, company and 
command in the Army, Navy or Alarine Corps. 

This Commission desires that the veterans from each County assemble, as far 
as practicable, and entrain at some conveniently central point in the county, or, 
if preferred, at two or three points where there are a large number of veterans 
and where, if the aggregate of passengers be sufficient, special train service could 
be arranged by the officers of the Grand Army Post. It is therefore hoped that 
the applicant, before naming his selection of railroad station and railway line on 
this blank, will confer with his comrades in the locality where he resides, with a 
view of securing harmony of action and a mutually satisfactory determination upon 
this important question. 

Do not write in the blank spaces at the top of the application as these will be 
filled in at the office of the Commission for ready reference by our office force. 

Notice must be promptly sent to the Commission of any change of address. 
If by reason of illness or from other causes the veteran, after filing his application 
for transportation, is unable to go, notice to that effect must be mailed without delay 
to the office of this Commission. 

Enclose a self-addressed postal card if applicant wishes the receipt of this 
application acknowledged by the Commission. 

This application will be filed, but action thereon is subject to an appropriation 
by the State providing the moneys required to meet the expenditure. 

No application will be received after May 1, 1913. 



BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 



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106 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 



To be Carried in Your Pocket During the Gettysburg 
Reunion 

Member G. A. R. Post No 






^ Member U. C. V. Camp No. . 

g Post Office Address of G. A. R. \ g^^^^ 

ft- Post or U. C. V. Camp J 



„ ^ In case of SICKNESS or ACCIDENT please communicate 
t^^ with 



Name in Full. 



Post Office Address \ x- d. ■. 

> No Street 

Number and Street J 

City State . 



To be Carried in Your Pocket During the Gettysburg 
Reunion 



To be Carried in Your Pocket During the Gettysburg 
Reunion 



Name in Full. 



Post Office Address 



g r«>l W.MCe ^^u.e,, p,^ g^^^g^ 

I— I "" Number and Street J 

^CO City State. 



Si 

pg Age years, Height ft in., Weight lbs. 

To be Carried in Your Pocket During the Gettysburg 
Reunion 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 040 972 8 



